A new study has found a third of adults consider the washing machine the most confusing appliance to use – but not knowing how to use it could be hiking up your electricity bills
Experts are saying that getting to grips with your washing machine’s cycles could be the secret to slashing those pesky bills.
A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that a whopping one in three find their washer the trickiest appliance to get their head around.
To dodge the head-scratching, nearly half of us just hit the same old button every time but experts warn this habit might be rinsing our wallets.
Three quarters rarely flick on eco-mode worried they’ll crank up the cost of bill because of how long it takes. As a result, the ‘quick wash’ is the go-to for two-thirds of folks, while over a quarter are all about the ‘rinse and spin’.
But it’s not just the laundry causing confusion either. The settings on air fryers, dishwashers, and ovens are also leaving Brits scratching their heads. Just like with their washers, 13% stick to what they know for fear of messing things up.
Even for the 28% who ‘always’ read the manufacturer’s instructions before using a new appliance, 19% have been left disappointed by the outcome after a cycle has finished.
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The research is courtesy of Utilita Energy’s Power Price List series, which dishes the dirt of how much money is spent on using household appliances. Here’s the twist – getting savvy with your gadgets could help cut costs and be kinder to the planet, they explained.
“Kitchen appliances are designed to make life easier, but for many, the endless buttons, settings, and features can feel overwhelming,” said a spokesperson from the company.
According to the poll, a third of Brits find smart appliances more challenging to use than traditional ones. “It’s no surprise that so many people end up using the same setting time and time again,” they added.
“Using the right settings can reduce energy consumption, cut waste, and improve efficiency – it’s about getting the most out of what you already own. Small changes in how we use our appliances can lead to big savings over time.”
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