The cost of using a washing machine is set to rise by up to £11 from April due to Ofgem's new energy price cap.

Households worried about rising costs can take measures to lower their bills. Currently, electricity is priced at an average of 24.86p per kWh, but this will increase to 27.03p per kWh from April 1, when Ofgem raises gas and electricity prices by an average of 6.4%, adding around £111 to annual energy bills.

Washing machine running costs vary widely, from 300W for smaller models to 2,100W for larger ones, with older machines potentially consuming even more power.

According to Ideal Home, the cost of running a 1,400W washing machine for one hour is currently 35p per cycle, totaling £127.03 per year if used daily. After the price hike, this will rise to 38p per cycle, or £138.12 annually—an increase of £11.09, as reported by the Express.

To estimate the cost for your own washing machine, locate its kWh rating, which indicates its electricity usage per hour. Multiply this by 0.2703, then by the number of hours you use the machine to determine the running cost.

Finding smart ways to cut costs can make a big difference, especially when it comes to household chores. The experts at GoodTo.com suggest that washing small loads multiple times a week is an inefficient and costly way to use your washing machine.

They explain: "Running a half-full washing machine uses the same amount of energy and water as a full load, meaning you're not maximizing efficiency."

To save money, they recommend: "Whenever possible, wait until you have a full load before running your washing machine (unless it has a half-load setting). This can help reduce the number of cycles you run each week, lowering energy consumption and keeping your bills down. Additionally, it reduces wear and tear on your machine, extending its lifespan and delaying the need for a replacement."

For those looking to cut costs even further, GoodTo advises washing clothes at lower temperatures.

"Using lower temperatures reduces energy consumption. While older washing machines typically offer a 30°C setting, models built since 2013—thanks to the EU’s Ecodesign initiative—must also include a 20°C option."

Consumer advocacy group Which? has analyzed energy savings and found that switching from a 40°C wash to 30°C can lower energy use by 38%. Dropping to 20°C results in an even greater reduction of 62%.

Finally, if you haven't secured a fixed energy tariff yet, now may be the time. Fixed-rate plans available now are up to 6% cheaper than the April price cap, allowing you to lock in lower rates for the next year and avoid potential future price increases.