Avoid the “express” cycle: five tips to reduce your washing machine’s energy use.

Sometimes, a few everyday habits can make a real difference to both your bank balance and the planet.

Across France, households are looking for savings wherever they can find them, and energy use is an obvious place to start. The good news is that small, practical changes can reduce your bills while also lowering your environmental impact. As Engie put it in a recent statement, “making better use of everyday appliances is a concrete lever, accessible to everyone, to consume less and consume better.”

With that in mind, the energy group has shared several routines to cut electricity consumption day to day. Among typical household energy costs, laundry is one of the easiest areas to optimise-without buying new kit or sacrificing comfort. Here are five good habits to adopt each time you run a washing machine.

Washing machine energy saving: how to reduce your electricity use easily

A washing machine is not the most power-hungry appliance in the home, but it is still worth building the right habits to keep consumption down. These changes cost nothing to implement, yet they can noticeably reduce what you pay over time.

1) Run full loads: fill the drum properly

The first rule is simple: make sure the drum is properly filled before starting a wash. It may sound obvious, but it is worth repeating. By avoiding half-load cycles, you reduce the number of washes you run overall-and that, in turn, can have a meaningful impact on your bills.

2) Lower the temperature: a 10°C step can change everything

Many people do not realise how strongly wash temperature affects electricity use. The hotter the programme, the more energy the washing machine needs to heat the water.

In fact, around 80–90% of the electricity used during a wash is spent on the heating element; the remainder powers the motor and electronics. Even a single 10°C reduction can make a big difference. According to a study by the Testex laboratory, moving from a 40°C wash to 30°C can deliver around 30% energy savings.

A 30°C wash is not only gentler on your clothes, it is also a reliable way to use less electricity. The contrast is striking: running a wash at 60°C or 90°C can push your consumption up by at least 50% compared with a 30°C programme. If you are looking for a “winning” temperature for everyday laundry, you have it.

3) Be cautious with express cycles

If you often default to express cycles, there is a catch. These short programmes can be a false economy: because the machine has to heat water rapidly to wash in less time, using express cycles routinely is particularly energy-intensive.

For that reason, Engie recommends choosing “Eco mode” whenever you can. It may take longer, but it is generally kinder to both your bill and the environment.

4) Look after your washing machine-and use off-peak / peak hours wisely

Regular maintenance is one of the best ways to prevent unnecessary overconsumption and to extend your appliance’s lifespan. Keeping the machine in good condition helps it run efficiently rather than working harder than it needs to.

And if you are on an off-peak / peak hours tariff, Engie strongly advises scheduling your cycles during off-peak periods, so you can reduce the cost of your bill even when your overall consumption stays the same.

5) Add two extra “no-cost” habits: dose detergent correctly and maximise spin

Two additional routines can support the same goal without changing comfort levels:

• Use the right amount of detergent. Overdosing can lead to poorer rinsing and encourage you to rewash items, which means extra electricity and water. Measuring according to load size and water hardness helps you avoid waste.
• Use a higher spin speed when suitable for the fabric. A better spin removes more water, so clothes take less time to dry-especially useful if you rely on a tumble dryer.

The same logic applies to other appliances: tumble dryer and dishwasher

What works for the washing machine broadly applies to other household appliances too-especially those that use heat.

The tumble dryer is typically the most energy-hungry of the lot. It is therefore sensible to use it sparingly, favour air-drying whenever possible, and keep heavier use for winter when outdoor drying is less practical. Choosing longer cycles at lower temperature can save energy compared with rapid drying. Even a small habit such as sorting laundry can help: by pre-drying clothes (for example, through a strong spin), you cut the time the dryer needs to run.

On the dishwasher side, the advice is similar. Eco mode is usually the best option to reduce consumption, as it relies on a lower temperature over a longer duration, which is less energy-intensive overall. As with a washing machine, avoid running the dishwasher when it is not fully loaded. Finally, do not overlook maintenance: regularly cleaning the filter is a small detail that makes a real difference to performance and efficiency.