Hot & Cold Fill machines Hot never draws water

[towman]

? How can these new machines splash all this energy saving blurb about when they waste energy heating icy mains water whilst there are gallons of hot available.

The energy saving blurb is based on Energy Label testing, which to give a level playing field is actually tested with machines connected up with Y pieces so they only fill with cold water at 15°C. Also, you may find that it actually works out cheaper to use cold fill only - depending on the type of heating system you have !

A lot of machines now don't use hot unless it's a 60 °C programme - some of this is to do with energy saving and some to do with modern detergents designed to work at lower temps - the hot water intake may actually denature the enzymes in the powder - other mchines do a cold fill to rinse out drawer before filling with hot. Its also to do with the temperature profile - a slow rise activates the enzymes and causes less damage to the clothes so only a relatively small amount of hot water is used.

For most people, bearing in mind hardly anyone actually FILLS a washing machine with washing, and given modern low temp detergents and materials a 40°C wash is more than adequate. A "hygeine" wash once every so often at 60 or 90 is a good idea to desludge the machine though.

 

[Diyisfun]

DIWHY

? How can these new machines splash all this energy saving blurb about when they waste energy heating icy mains water whilst there are gallons of hot available.

Its more efficient heating the actually water required, my hot tank is so far away the m/c will never draw hot, unless we have been using the kitchen hot tap...

ps

I do like your name, wish I had thought of that one. I bet we have a DIWHYNOT soon..

 

[dabaldie]

you could always try the old fashioned way.
turn off the hot water valve and time a 40 degree wash.
now turn it back on and do the same.
if its quicker the first time then you are definately drawing hot water!!!
simple!!