Why it's really not a good idea to use your washing machine during these three hours

Where would the Great British public be without Martin Lewis?

I'll tell you - we'd be forking out fines for out-of-date passports, paying a staggering excess for our phone bills, kept in the dark about child benefit payment changes, and owed thousands of pounds of pension cash.

I mean, the man saves lives on a daily basis with his trusted financial advice - which he regularly hands out to Brits both on the telly during appearances, and through his social media channels.

Amongst the countless tips and tricks he'd lent to us over his years in the spotlight, is one which all homeowners and renters should be taking note of.

That's because, it turns out that, if your prone to sticking the washing machine on between the hours of 4-7pm each day, you could unknowingly be guilty of massively overspending on your household bills.

'But, how?', I hear you ask.

Well, Lewis says that peak periods for the National Grid lead to a surge in electricity demands across the country and an increased risk of power cuts - which is something that absolutely none of us want.

Martin Lewis is famed for helping Brits hold onto their cash. (Instagram/@martinlewismse)

During a segment of ITV's This Morning, Lewis shared his pearls of wisdom.

He urged people not to just press the 'ON' switch of energy appliances as part of an everyday routine.

This is because the peak times for using energy take place between 4pm and 7pm - adding that it's a great idea to shake things up and lower your usage during this timeframe.

He said: "There are emergency scenarios where power cuts in different regions are possible that have been put forward by National Grid.

"If we can avoid using lots of energy between 4pm and 7pm and it makes no difference to our lives, then we should all be somewhat conscious of that, whether or not it’s cheaper, because it will collectively help us all."

In order to aid in the reduction of energy use during these hours, the National Grid has launched its demand flexibility service which has been in place since Winter 2022, that offers discounts to those who sign up to the scheme and agree to use less energy during peak times.

This tip will save energy and therefore money. (Kathrin Ziegler/Getty)

This incentive will still be available in winter this year.

People who sign up will require a smart metre, and the perks are endless - saving energy and money by delaying use of the oven, washing machine, dryer and charging devices during peak times.

It's always good to give your routine a shakeup, isn't it?

As of August 2023, more than a million homes and businesses had signed up for the scheme, which was helped along by the support of 26 energy suppliers.

When it comes to the financial aspect, National Grid says it's a possibility that you can save up to £30 depending on how much energy is saved.