MARTIN Lewis has explained when you should run your tumble dryer amid a warning that planned blackouts could hit the UK.

Households could face three-hour outages this winter as the energy crisis tightens, the National Grid has said.

In order to prevent power cuts, households are being urged not to use certain appliances, such as washing machines, at peak times to save energy.

Responding to the news on Twitter, Martin Lewis has revealed the best time to use high-energy appliances such as tumble dryers.

The MoneySavingExpert founder explained that some households might have time-of-use tariffs, which would make washing and drying clothes cheaper after 9pm.

These can also be called Economy 7 or 10 tariffs.

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This means you can get a good discount for the units you use during the off-peak hours.

But you only make the savings if you keep using your appliances during these strict timeframes.

And each supplier chooses its own Economy 7 times.

Customers who aren't on one of these tariffs can do their laundry at whatever time suits them as there is no price difference.

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Martin said: "Most don't have time of use tariffs, so there's no price difference. If you do, night's cheaper.

"Yet peak use is around 4pm to 9pm, so for the UK's energy security, not then is better."

It means that you have to commit to using most of your energy at night to get lower energy bills.

But exactly when you should run your appliances at night will vary depending on when your suppliers' off-peak hours are.

This might not suit everyone's lifestyle and you should be careful of running appliances overnight when you're asleep as it could be a fire risk.

Martyn Allen, technical director of Electrical Safety First said: "It is essential that anyone considering using appliances at night do all they can to mitigate their risk of a fire with a few simple spot checks.

"Ensure your appliances are not subject to a recall, that cables are not damaged and that filters are regularly emptied to reduce a build up of lint.

"Finally, ensure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor in your house, it could save your life.”

The off-peak hours are also better suited to people with storage heaters and a hot water tank, which can be heated up at night when it's cheapest and then used to provide hot water and heating for the next day.

A lot of modern appliances also include a time, so you can set your washing machine and dishwasher to run during the off-peak window.

Martin added that if you have solar panels, it's best to use your appliances during daylight hours.

It comes amid growing fury over a scheme to give households £10 a day to cut their energy use to avoid blackouts this winter.

It will also only apply to households that have a smart meter, meaning millions will miss out.

Around 27.8 million households had a smart meter at the end of 2021, according to government figures.

You will still have to pay for the off-peak electricity you use and will then get the cash back.

The "demand flexibility service" will run from November to March, and it is expected to swing into action 12 times.

Chunks of households in particular areas could be cut off with the homes which have their supply turned off rotated to avoid the entire country being plunged into darkness.

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Here, we explain how households will be paid to put appliances on during off-peak hours.

Meanwhile, Martin Lewis has warned households that there is no cap on £2,500 energy bills after the Energy Price Guarantee came into effect.

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