Everyone with a washing machine told they can lower energy bills

Millions of households are being urged to slash their energy bills by simply changing the time they switch on everyday appliances like washing machines and dishwashers.

A radical shake-up of the way electricity is used and priced has been unveiled by the Government, promising families the chance to cut costs by running energy-hungry devices overnight, when demand - and prices - are lower.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the plan would give people "choice and control over when and how they use their energy", adding: "In this way we will protect working people's pockets and ensure they are the first to benefit from our clean power mission."

The scheme, part of a new Clean Flexibility Roadmap, will encourage households to opt into flexible tariffs that offer cheaper electricity at off-peak times - such as during the night or when wind turbines are generating surplus power.

Experts say a few simple changes in behaviour could lead to big savings. For example, drivers of electric vehicles could save up to £330 a year just by charging overnight.

Akshay Kaul, Director General at energy regulator Ofgem, said: "Small lifestyle tweaks such as programming a dishwasher or tumble dryer to run overnight when costs are low or charging your electric car during high winds can have a material impact on people's bills."

And Kayte O'Neill, Chief Operating Officer of the National Energy System Operator (NESO), insisted the new plan "sets out the actions needed to increase flexibility across Great Britain and the rewards it will bring."

The roadmap includes:

• Support for appliances that can automatically run when electricity is cheapest
• A requirement for energy firms to provide clearer information about flexible tariffs
• Discounts for EV drivers using public chargers off-peak
• A new Flexibility Commissioner to oversee changes

Officials claim that boosting flexible usage could save the energy system up to £70 billion by 2050 - savings which, they insist, could be passed on to customers.

Naomi Baker, from Energy UK, described the plan as "a positive step" and said it would help "pass the lower cost of renewables through to bill payers".

But there is also a hard commercial edge. By shifting usage away from peak times, the government hopes to reduce the need for fossil-fuelled power stations to step in during energy surges - and avoid building expensive new infrastructure.

Sarah Honan, of the Association for Decentralised Energy, added: "We must place British homes and businesses at the heart of the system; paying them to flex, not paying gas plants to bail us out."

Officials stress the new approach will be voluntary, and householders will be able to opt in via smart tariffs or technologies that help shift usage automatically.

The move comes as part of the wider Plan for Change, a government pledge to make Britain a "clean energy superpower" by dramatically cutting reliance on gas and embracing renewables like wind and solar.

Merlin Hyman, Chief Executive of green energy group Regen, called the roadmap "an important step" in reforming electricity markets, but warned: "The challenge now is to deliver... and to provide value to customers."

Critics may question how soon consumers will see real savings, or whether suppliers will fully pass on the benefits. But with energy prices still under scrutiny, ministers are pinning their hopes on technology, tariffs and timing to lighten the load on Britain's hard-pressed families.