Washing Machine - cold fill only?

[tim]

I want to move our washing machine into another room. The new site has cold water only and its not practical to plumb for hot. The machine is hot and cold fill. Can it work effectively on cold fill alone? Given that it must heat water for any cycle above 60deg I assume it can heat cold anyway. We rarely (royal we) use a cycle above 40deg.

I can't find the manual and being cynical, I imagine that a manufacturer conversation would prove fruitless.

Cheers

Tim

 

[Smudger]

I've read this question before on French forums, and I think it is OK, you just have extra expense in energy in heating the water, and presumably time.

 

[andrewm]

I can't give a definitive answer but don't see why not. With modern machines which use less water the likelihood is that the hot will not have run hot before the machine was full in any case. My new machine is cold fill only.

An alternative would be a Y adapter in the pipe so that the cold is connected to both hot and cold inlets. That way the machine would know no difference between a cold fill only and a hot fill with no hot water in the tank.

Andrew

Edit: Something like this

 

[Bodrighy]

We have always run our w/m's on coldfill only. As you say it takes a bit longer to do a cycle as it needs to heat the water but the advantage is that it never gets too hot for woolens etc and in our experience it works out cheaper than heating water with an immersion all the time. Mind you we had 6 kids so it was more or less permanently on. If your hot water is via a range or something it is probably more expensive but not a lot as modern waching machines have very little water in them (DAMHIK )

Pete

 

[devonwoody]

In Oz. last year we only ran the W/M on cold wash using detergent designed for use with cold wash.

About time this was made more esily availble here in the UK, (GL)

 

[Gary]

Our washing machine is cold fill only. We don't have an option it only came with the blue hose and on inlet valve. I do know that two inlet machines only draw hot water at temperatures above 40 anyway so you should be fine.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Our machine runs on cold fill. But I think that most machines that have cold and hot inlets will run OK on cold only - that has certainly been our experience in the past.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Digit]

Having run a business for 12 yrs flogging and servicing the damn things I feel I can actually answer that one.
If the m/c has 2 valves you have 2 options.
One is to disconnect one wire from the Hot valve, (this prevents the hot valve over heating), the other is to visit a supplier and purchase a 'Y' piece that enables you to connect your cold water supplies to both valves.
If you connect to the cold valve only, and HID desires a hot wash, the machine will sit all day and sulk as it won't be able to obey its programme.
If you use a 'Y' piece HID will be able to use all the programmes.

Roy.

 

[devonwoody]

Thank you Digit, what screwdriver do I need to open the screws with, not poz or philips?

 

[Digit]

If you take the 'Y' piece option you don't need any screwdrivers, as depending on make/model of your m/c, you simply need 2 or 3 hoses.
If you take the other option you'll need to let me know make/model.

Roy.

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks Digit, Service.

BTW, this thread is well and truly hijacked

 

[Digit]

One other piece of info DW that I accrued from service work. Old micro wave ovens contain 2 of the most powerful magnets you can get your hands on.
But don't get your fingers in between them!

Roy.

 

[Harbo]

Oh too late - just taken our old M/W to the recycling centre!

Rod

 

[Digit]

If it's anything like my local center they'll gladly give you as many as you can load into the back of your car.
The magnets are contained within the Magnetron, with the cabinet off, no power of course, just prod around with 6in rule/screwdriver till you locate it.
Inside you will find 2 magnets about 2in dia and 3/8ths thick.
I use one to hold a 5/8 Whitworth spanner to the side of a machine, they are that powerful.
I also use them to set the knives on my planer, you could damn near lift the planer with them!