As an energy expert, I get a lot of questions about simple changes that might help lower energy costs. Lately, one has been coming up more often as customers look for easy ways to stay comfortable without overdoing it.

Here’s what I’m hearing:

“Should I be running my dishwasher or washing machine at night? Is there actually a best time of day to use appliances and save?”

It’s a great question. And the answer has less to do with the time you are running your appliances and more to do with what’s happening inside your home.

Your home works harder during the hottest part of the day

In the afternoon and early evening, your home is usually at its warmest. The sun has been heating up your roof, walls and windows for hours. That heat builds up and makes your air conditioner work harder to keep things comfortable.

When you run appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine or dryer during that time, you add more heat and humidity inside your home. That can make your cooling system work even harder.

It’s not just about the appliance itself. It’s about everything happening at once.

Why nighttime can make a difference

At night, outdoor temperatures start to drop and your home begins to cool down. Your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard, and adding a little extra heat from appliances has less impact on overall comfort.

That’s why running appliances in the evening or later can help reduce how hard your cooling system has to work during the hottest part of the day.

Small shifts, noticeable impact

You don’t need to overhaul your routine. Even small changes can help:

• Run the dishwasher after dinner instead of mid-afternoon.
• Do laundry later in the evening when temperatures are lower.
• Avoid using heat-producing appliances during the hottest hours of the day when possible.

These shifts can help reduce the amount of heat building up inside your home at the same time your A/C is already working hardest.

A few extra tips to get the most out of it

If you’re looking to go a step further:

• Use energy-saving or eco modes when available.
• Wash clothes with cold water when possible.
• Run full loads instead of multiple smaller ones.
• Air dry dishes or clothes when you can.

Bottom line

While there isn’t a single “perfect” time to run your appliances, avoiding the hottest part of the day can help your home stay more comfortable and reduce how hard your cooling system has to work. Small timing changes can add up, especially during the hottest months.