British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON, Octopus customers warned 'use far less energy between 6pm to 8pm'

If you switch your washing machine on for these two hours you'll face sky high bills, it has been warned. ITV This Morning consumer expert Alice Beer shared some valuable advice on how to save money on your British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus energy bills.

It includes the best time of day to put a wash on. This Morning's consumer expert Alice has offered some top-notch advice on how to slash energy bills amidst rising costs. Alice said: "Never, ever do half loads [on the washing machine]. One full load is much less energy than two half loads, that's obvious."

Alice suggested: "Think about what you're using in the kitchen... it's more efficient to use a dishwasher than washing up by hand - especially if you keep a tap running." She said: "The kettle... it honestly saves you money and helps the UK's electricity supply if you're just boiling the amount of water you need."

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Alice continued: "Think about using the microwave instead of using a cooker when you can - much cheaper to use a microwave." And she told Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard: "Look at how that works for you. We should all be thinking of using a lot less energy in that peak period [which is] 6pm to 8pm at night."

She asked: "Can you switch to having your meal a bit earlier or later perhaps? Using the dishwasher between 6pm to 8pm is a no-go." The consumer expert and guru went on, adding: "There are different thermostatic controls that you should have a look at."

Discussing common mistakes people make, she said: "The first one is the one that is usually in your hall and it's a dial. One in five have got that set at 22 degrees - that's Lanzarote temperatures! ". And she added: "The second thermostatic control is on your radiators, if you've got a valve on your radiator you need to be controlling that to get to the right temperature."