Connecting the washing machine to hot water
In most cases, the washing machine heats the water on its own. But there are people who for some reason think that if you connect the washing machine not to cold, but to hot water, then you will definitely get “brutal” savings on utilities. We decided to dispel this myth, and at the same time talk about cases of connecting a washing machine to hot water when it is really needed. But first things first.
Is it possible or not?
The vast majority of automatic washing machines must be connected to cold water, as the manufacturer intended. But there are models of washing machines that connect directly to both cold and hot water; as a rule, these are expensive and “smart” washing machines of very well-known brands.
What will happen to a regular washing machine if you connect it not to cold water, as usual, but to hot water? At first glance, nothing terrible, but during operation the following problems will definitely appear.
- The heating element of a washing machine will fail in the shortest possible time, although at first glance it seems that, on the contrary, it should work longer.
- The quality of the wash will noticeably decrease, and don’t be surprised that the washing machine will outright ruin some things. If water reaches the washing machine with a temperature of about 600C, which means that things will be washed in it, even if the washing program is started at a temperature of 300Well, the machine doesn’t know how to cool water.
For example, some types of dyed synthetic items can only be washed in lukewarm water to prevent the color from coming off and fading. If your washing machine is connected to hot water, you cannot wash such things.
- A large amount of dirt from the water supply can get into the washing machine, especially if not
Protect the inlet hose with at least a flow filter. In a good way, there is not enough coarse filter here; you need a fine filter, and it is not cheap at all. - The inlet hose of a regular washing machine is not designed for hot water, so it is subject to significant and rapid wear.
As you can see, there are a lot of disadvantages of connecting a washing machine to hot water, but what about the advantages? Will there be the notorious energy savings? If you look at current tariffs, it turns out that hot water is more expensive than electricity, so most likely you will not only not save, but will pay more. Conclusion: if you are the owner of an ordinary washing machine, without the bells and whistles of an additional connection to hot water, it’s better not to suffer and connect to a pipe with cold water - you won’t have to regret it.
What is needed to connect
In case you are the happy owner of a newfangled washing machine that can be connected to hot water along with cold water, then further information is presented for you. In such a situation, the washing machine has not one inlet hose, but two, which means that the usual method of connecting to hot and cold water is not entirely suitable. We will need:
- plumbing adjustable wrench;
- FUMka;
- rubber or silicone gasket rings ¾ inches;
- two main ¾ tee taps with a side outlet to the inlet hose;
If you plan to place the tee faucet in a visible place, for example, on a bathroom faucet, then take a more beautiful faucet with a chrome surface.
- ¾ adapters.
- ¾ flow filters.
The adjustable plumbing wrench must be used with care so as not to damage the surface of the chrome-plated faucet nuts. It would be better to generally stick pieces of electrical tape on the edges of the nuts while working so that the chrome does not become scratched.
Progress
The washing machine can be connected to hot and cold water in different ways. It will be possible to install both main tees in front of the mixer without any problems; our publication describes how to do this How to connect a washing machine to a faucet, so we won’t dwell on this in more detail.
It will also be possible to install tees in front of the inlet hoses of faucets under the sink. This method is considered more aesthetic, since the connection point will be securely hidden under the sink. Let's do so.
Be sure to seal all connections with FUM tape to reduce the risk of leakage.
Although your washing machine works well, taking in both cold and hot water, you still need to make sure that less dirt gets into the system from the water supply, so first we’ll screw flow filters onto the taps. Next, we will perform the following manipulations.
- We shut off the risers with hot and cold water.
- We climb under the sink and find the junction of the metal-plastic pipe with the hoses going to the sink faucet. We disconnect the hoses and pipes.
- Next, you can screw our tees onto both pipes through adapters, which are already assembled with flow filters.
- We screw the hoses from the mixer to the tees.
- We screw the inlet hoses from the washing machine to the tees. Here you need a FUMka, you can’t go anywhere without it, because all connections must be sealed.
Now you can turn on the water and check how the washing machine connected in this way will work. During the inspection, pay special attention to the tees and hoses, make sure that nothing is dripping anywhere.
In conclusion, we note that connecting a washing machine to either cold or hot water is not a difficult task. Perhaps there is no difference here. But does your “home assistant” need this? Most likely, it is not necessary, unless, of course, your washing machine from the factory has a dual connection function for hot and cold water!
Interesting:
7 reader comments
Is it necessary to connect hot water if I have two inputs?
You can install a water splitter so that there is pressure at the hot inlet. If the machine is connected to cold water supply and hot water supply, then such a splitter is included in the delivery package of the washing machine.
My Indesit was connected only to hot water.
The machine worked for 16 years. Today I am changing the washing machine. And I'll connect it the same way again. I only have this pipe free.
The most reliable option is to install a three-way thermostat (mixer). They usually have outlet temperature control and different temperature ranges. I have a range of 32 - 50 degrees and both the washing machine and the dishwasher are connected. Fortunately, it has its own heating system (gas boiler + boiler) and a well. That isthere are filters and adequate pressure. But in central heating and water supply systems, you need to take care of water purification and install check valves for cold and hot water, because The pressure may be different and it will not work correctly.
Old machines can be connected, but new ones have many automatic washing modes. There may be glitches. Yes, and the washing machines are not the same now. Savings on everything. The plastic may warp, if you supply it with warm water from the boiler - 40 degrees. Washing will happen quickly due to the fact that there is no need to heat the water.
I have a semi-automatic. We connected hot and cold, but only cold washes. The hot water doesn't flow. Why?
Open the tap