A quiet revolution is underway in British homes, where a rising number of households are choosing to swap traditional Sunday routines for practical, Soapy Sunday-style, energy-focused, energy-saving habits in an effort to reduce energy costs.
Instead of outings or rest, families are now dedicating their Sundays to laundry—an approach driven by tariff schemes from major suppliers offering free or half-price electricity. Dubbed ‘Soapy Sunday’, the movement has gained momentum as families aim to lower household budgets amid rising prices.
According to DevonLive, some households have managed to cut up to £201 annually by focusing energy-intensive tasks like washing and drying within discounted time slots, turning energy awareness into weekly routine.
Energy Providers Promote Off-Peak Consumption
Major suppliers such as British Gas, EDF, Octopus Energy, and OVO Energy have introduced offers that encourage customers to shift electricity usage to quieter periods—primarily Sundays. These initiatives aim to ease pressure on the grid and better align consumption with the availability of renewable energy, particularly wind and solar.
Research from Uswitch.com found that households doing up to eight washing and drying loads during these discounted windows can benefit from substantial cost savings, particularly on energy costs, as washing machines and tumble dryers are among the most electricity-hungry appliances in the home.
‘Soapy Sunday’ Becomes a Weekly Routine
One of the households embracing this habit is that of Ria Oldroyd, 76, from Kessingland, Suffolk.
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 – she explained.
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 and energy costs. Everything has gone up in price, so you have to be much more mindful of how you’re taking care of your money.
Supplier Offers Vary by Provider
Several providers are offering compelling schemes:
- British Gas runs PeakSave, which offers half-price electricity on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- EDF’s Sunday Saver Challenge provides up to 16 hours of free electricity every Sunday
- Octopus Energy and OVO Energy offer flexible, usage-based free-electricity sessions, which depend on real-time grid conditions and require users to opt in via apps or emails
These offers typically require a working smart meter, as usage needs to be tracked accurately and in real time. For households aiming to manage rising energy costs, understanding the fine print of these schemes is essential.
Awareness Is Growing, but Not Universal
Despite the potential for savings, 14% of households remain unaware of such schemes, according to a Uswitch survey. The same poll revealed that 49% of respondents would consider cancelling social plans to benefit from the lower rates, and 23% would be willing to skip a pub outing in exchange for cheaper laundry.
Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com, commented:
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.
She added:
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.
She concluded:
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.
Simple Actions for Further Savings
To optimize savings and reduce energy costs, Uswitch advises households to:
- Check their supplier’s website for eligibility and details
- Ensure they have a smart meter installed and activated
- Use eco settings on appliances
- Compare fixed-rate energy deals to secure longer-term stability
As more consumers adapt their routines to rising prices and changing energy infrastructure, Soapy Sunday represents a practical, flexible approach to energy cost management. What was once a quiet day for rest or leisure is now, for many, a strategic opportunity to rinse, spin and save.
