- The traditional Sunday is being turned on its head as households turn it into a weekly ‘laundry day’ – thanks to supplier schemes that offer free or half-price electricity at certain times
- Households that shift eight laundry and dryer loads a week to free times could save up to £201 annually[2]
- One in seven households have never heard of schemes offering discounted energy[3] – while half of consumers would take part if they could[4]
- Ria Oldroyd, 76, of Suffolk, tells how she saves all her washing for Sundays and does four loads in the washing machine and a few in the tumble dryer
- Uswitch.com offers tips on how households can make the most of free electricity schemes and use appliances more efficiently
Households are making the most of supplier schemes that offer free or half-price electricity at certain times by using a weekly ‘laundry day’ to save up to £201 a year on their energy bills[2], reveals research by Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
The trend – dubbed ‘Soapy Sundays’ due to schemes that offer free electricity at certain times during the week – sees households let their laundry pile up until their allotted free energy slot.
With some suppliers offering up to 16 hours of free electricity a week[5], households can comfortably fit in five washing machine loads and five cycles of the tumble dryer in this time.
The average UK household does four loads of washing a week[6], meaning the trick could save them up to £36 a year[1]. Three uses of the tumble dryer a week would cost £48 in electricity at current rates[7]. A family that does eight loads of washing and tumble drying on a Sunday could save up to £201 annually[2].
Ria Oldroyd, a pensioner from Kessingland, Suffolk, has changed her weekend plans since she took up an offer for half-price electricity on Sundays from her supplier.
Ria, 76, said: “I accumulate my washing through the week to get done as much as possible during the five-hour slot – and I can just about get four washes in.
“I don’t usually use the tumble dryer because it’s expensive, but I do during those half-price hours. The savings make a real difference and it could go towards something like putting the heating on.
“Sundays used to be a day for going out and visiting, but now I’m at home getting the most out of my free energy window. A scheme like this is really helpful for saving on bills. Everything has gone up in price, so you have to be much more mindful of how you’re taking care of your money.”
Image: Ria Oldroyd does four loads of washing every Sunday
Nearly half of people (49%) would consider cancelling their social plans to take advantage of free energy. A quarter (23%) say they would happily ditch a trip to the pub for the cash-saving trick, while a fifth (21%) would cancel a visit to the cinema[8].
Many consumers have never heard of the supplier schemes offering free or discounted electricity, with one in seven households (14%) not aware of the money-saving hack[3]. More than half of people (55%) say they would take part if they could[4].
Taking part is dependent on having a working smart meter, with some schemes requiring half-hourly readings.
Table: Supplier schemes offering free or half-price electricity
| Supplier | Scheme Name | Electricity Pricing | Available Hours | Reward Mechanism | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Gas | PeakSave and PeakSave Green Flex | Half price unit rate | Sunday 11am - 4pm Additional 1-2 hour sessions when renewable energy is plentiful with PeakSave Green Flex. | Bill credit applied after event.Half price electricity during events. | British Gas electricity customer with working smart meter. Sign up to one of the schemes |
| EDF Energy | Sunday Saver Challenge | Free | Up to 16 hours per week on Sundays | Bill credit applied after the final free Sunday of each month | EDF electricity customer with smart meter that sends 30-minute readings (or set up to do so). Shift electricity use away from peak times throughout the week to build up free hours |
| Octopus Energy | Free Electricity Sessions | Free (extra electricity above normal usage) | Variable - customers are notified when sessions occur (most common when renewables are abundant) | Bill credit applied after each event | Octopus Energy customer with smart meter and signed up to the Octoplus loyalty scheme. |
| OVO Energy | OVO Beyond | Free | Customers choose 2 hours of free electricity each week by midnight on Sundays (excluding peak hours) from 5 May to 31 August 2025 | Bill credit applied the following month | OVO Energy customers signed up to OVO Beyond with a smart meter capable of sending 30-minute readings. No specific tariff required. |
| Scottish Power | Power Saver (Half-Price Weekends) | Half price unit rate | Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4pm | Bill credit applied after event | Scottish Power electricity customer with smart meter capable of sending 30-minute readings (or set up accordingly). Sign up for the scheme |
Source: Uswitch
Uswitch is offering tips on how households can make the most of free electricity schemes and use appliances more efficiently to reduce bills.
Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “Suppliers are offering these free and half-price schemes to help move electricity use away from peak times to those points in the week when everyone’s using less energy.
“Schemes like these will become increasingly important as the country shifts towards using more renewable energy like wind and solar.
“Washing machines and tumble dryers are some of the most energy-intensive appliances in the house, so they’re perfectly suited to free and half-price electricity schemes.
“By saving up your laundry and tackling it during a free or lower-priced time, households can save significant amounts of money.
“You will need a working smart meter to take advantage of schemes like this and each scheme is unique, so check your supplier’s website if you’re interested.”
Tips for trying free and discounted energy schemes
- Check if your supplier offers a scheme: Increasing numbers of providers have free or discounted energy schemes. Take a look at your supplier’s website for more information.
- Use eco settings where possible: Remember that while the electricity will be free or discounted, your water bill won’t be. Use eco settings on your dishwasher and washing machine to use as little water as possible if you’re on a water meter.
- Do you have a working smart meter? These energy schemes rely on a working smart meter, as your provider needs to know exactly when you’re using electricity. If you would like to get a smart meter, get in touch with your supplier.
- Make a plan to use energy at the right time: Timings for your free or discounted energy will vary from supplier to supplier. Make a note of the times the scheme applies, and put a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget.
- Don’t overlook savings from switching: Some of the savings from these schemes can be dwarfed by the benefits of getting a fixed deal, if you’re on your supplier’s standard tariff. Do a comparison online to see if you can save money on a fixed deal.
See if you can save by comparing energy deals at Uswitch.com
For more information
Rianna York | Energy PR Manager
rianna.york@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
Notes to editors
Research conducted online by Opinium, 15th to 22nd April 2025, among 2,002 UK energy bill-payers, weighted to be nationally representative.
1. The average washing machine uses 0.645kWh per cycle. Four uses per week x 52 weeks a year x 0.645kWh x 0.2703£/kWh = £36.23
2. Eight uses per week of washing machine x 52 weeks a year x 0.645kWh x 0.2703£/kWh = £72.53. Eight uses per week of tumble dryer x 52 weeks a year x 1.14kWh x 0.2703£/kWh = £128.19. £128.19 + £72.53 = £200.72.
3. Respondents were asked ‘Which best describes your awareness of schemes or tariffs that offer households free or discounted electricity at certain times?’ 24% said ‘I currently use one of these schemes’. 14% said ‘I have not heard of such schemes’
4. Respondents were asked ‘How likely would you be to sign-up to a scheme or tariff that offers free or discounted electricity at certain times with my current provider.’ 55% were ‘very likely’ or ‘fairly likely’.
5. See table in release.
6. UK Government: Domestic appliances, cooking & cooling equipment
7. The average tumble dryer uses 1.14kWh per cycle. Three uses per week x 52 weeks a year x 1.14kWh x 0.2703£/kWh = £48.07
8. Respondents were asked ‘Which of the following plans would you consider cancelling to take advantage of free electricity at home during a specific time?’ 23% said ‘Going to the pub’, 22% said ‘Going shopping’, 21% said ‘Going to the cinema’. 55% said at least one activity.
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to find their energy, broadband and mobile deals than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.