Customers would change their energy using habits if they could save money, claims a new study in Germany.Cheaper tariffs influence when people switch on high-energy consuming appliances, according to the findingsby E.ON Metering, BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgeräte.

More than three quarters of the 115 participants postponed one in two uses of their dishwashers and washing machines to a time of the day with a more favourable tariff.They saved up to 25% on energy costs this way, according to the research.

Dr. Stefan Vogg, who is responsible for E.ON sales in Germany, said: “Now we know that our customers accept time-zone tariffs and change their behaviour accordingly.” He added that the firm would look at the development of different tariffs as a way to pass savings on to customers and benefit the grid load.