Locating the delay button on Hotpoint models
Hotpoint washing machines use a physical button for delay start. It is labelled in one of three ways depending on the model and year:
- "Delay" - the most common label, found on NSWA, NSWM, WMFUG, and ActiveCare series machines
- "Postpone" - used on some older models from 2014 and earlier
- A clock icon - used on some newer models in place of text labelling
The button is typically positioned on the right side of the control panel, to the right of the temperature and spin speed controls. On machines with a numeric display, the delay hours appear in the same display window used for the cycle countdown.
If you cannot find the button by looking, search for your model number (printed on a sticker inside the door opening) on the Hotpoint website. Every Hotpoint manual is available as a free PDF download.
The button sequence: step by step
This sequence applies to all current Hotpoint washing machines including the ActiveCare, ActiveCare Push and Wash, NSWA, NSWM, and WMFUG series.
- Open the door and load the machine. Add detergent to the correct drawer compartment.
- Close the door firmly.
- Turn the programme selector dial to the cycle you want (Cotton, Synthetics, Eco, and so on).
- Adjust temperature and spin speed using the dedicated buttons if needed.
- Press the Delay button once. The display shows "1" or "1h", indicating a 1-hour delay before the cycle starts.
- Press Delay again to increase the delay. Each press adds one hour. Continue pressing until the display shows the number of hours you need.
- Press the Start/Pause button to confirm. The display shows the countdown. The machine waits and starts automatically when the delay expires.
Most Hotpoint machines support delays of up to 24 hours.
Do not change the programme selector after pressing Start. On most Hotpoint models, turning the dial resets the machine and cancels the delay.
How many hours to add (calculating from AgileAlert)
Open AgileAlert's live price dashboard after 4pm to see tomorrow's half-hourly Agile prices for your region. Tonight's cheapest window is typically between 2am and 6am, but it varies by night and region.
To calculate the delay:
- Note the current time (for example, 10pm).
- Find the start of tonight's cheapest Agile window (for example, 3am).
- Subtract: 3am minus 10pm is 5 hours.
- Set your Hotpoint delay to 5 hours.
The machine starts at 3am when electricity costs around 4p/kWh. A 40°C cotton cycle using 2kWh costs 8p. Run the same cycle at 7pm during peak Agile pricing at 38p/kWh and it costs 76p. Shift four washes per week from peak to overnight and the saving reaches around £62 to £70 per year.
| Timing | Agile rate | 40°C cycle cost (2kWh) | Annual saving vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evening peak (6-8pm) | 38p/kWh | 76p | - |
| Overnight (2am-6am) | 4p/kWh | 8p | £62-70 |
| Plunge pricing event | 0-1p/kWh | 0-2p | Up to £158 |
For the complete picture of washing machine timing across all brands and tariff scenarios, see the complete guide to washing machine timing on Octopus Agile.
Indesit: the same process, different name on the door
Indesit and Hotpoint are sister brands owned by the same parent company (Whirlpool Corporation, through its European operations). Their UK washing machines share the same platform, the same internal components, and the same control logic.
If you have an Indesit machine (MTWC, BWSC, EWSC, or XWC series), the delay start procedure is identical to the Hotpoint steps above. Look for a "Delay" button or clock icon in the same position on the right side of the control panel.
The only difference you may notice: some Indesit models label the button "Delay Timer" instead of "Delay". The function and the press-to-increment behaviour are the same.
Both brands are common in UK rental properties. If you are a renter setting up an overnight washing routine for the first time, check tonight's Agile prices and use the calculation above to set the right delay. The saving applies regardless of whether you rent or own your home.