Can I wash clothes in a washing machine if there is no hot water?

During a scheduled hot water outage, many homeowners wonder if they can use their washing machine. This is especially true for those who recently installed a hot water dispenser. Let's explore whether a hot water outage affects the washing machine's performance, or whether the two are unrelated.

Does the machine depend on hot water supply?

So is it permissible to wash without hot water? Most washing machine models are connected to a cold water supply only, so the lack of warm water does not affect the operation of the equipment.

However, some machines are connected to both cold and hot water. In this case, problems with automatic washing may occur during the power outage when running high-temperature programs. Such machines use cool water for basic cycles, and then use hot water when washing at a higher temperature is required.

Washing machines that connect to both hot and cold water pipes are designed to conserve energy. These machines don't waste time heating the water; water at the right temperature immediately enters the tank.

If there's no hot water, you can use your machine connected to a cold water supply as usual. This is easy to check. Inspect the back of the machine. If there's only one hose on top, your washing machine is running on cool water; if there are two, it's running on warm water. Keep in mind that the drain hose is also connected there; it shouldn't be included in the calculation.

To be sure, it's best to follow the inlet hose to where it connects to the pipe. This will confirm what type of water the appliance uses.

Should I connect my appliances to hot water?

When considering purchasing a washing machine connected to a hot water supply, first consider the cost-effectiveness of such a purchase. Would it be cheaper to have a machine that heats the water with a heating element or to fill the drum with warm water directly?

If the apartment does not have hot water meters, then using the washing machine will be more cost-effective than heating it.

In this case, utility bills are calculated according to the standard, and no matter how much water flows under the bridge, the amount on the bill will remain the same. However, electricity consumption will be significantly reduced.

Using hot water for washing is advisable only if it's sufficiently warm (up to 60°C or more). If the tap only produces a lukewarm stream, there's no point in buying a washing machine of this model; the machine will still have to heat the water. And with meters, each wash will cost a pretty penny.

It's a good idea to buy a washing machine with this feature for a private home with its own heating system. If you have a gas boiler for hot water, the machine will help you save a significant amount of money.

It's up to you to decide which washing machine to install. Don't worry about using the washer if the hot water supply stops. If you turn the washing machine on, nothing bad will happen—the machine will automatically heat the water to the correct temperature and wash your clothes.

   

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