Can I run a hot and cold washing machine using cold fill only?
We currently own a washer with both hot and cold water feeds which is running like this in the current position in our kitchen.
We are thinking of moving the washer into one of our out buildings where there already is running water and drainage. However, to do this we would need to run it on a cold feed only using a 'y' piece into both inlets.
The only concerns I have about doing this is that the water will not get up to temperature in enough time, particularly at this time of year when the cold water is REALLY cold. I would imagine that the problem would be on 60 and 90 degree washes.
Has anyone got any experience of running a washer like this and can give me an answer to my concerns?
Thanks in advance,
Lee
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Hot and cold fill washing machine can be run from cold supply only
- The problem
- The owner wanted to move a washing machine with separate hot and cold inlets to an outbuilding and asked whether it could be run from a cold feed only via a Y-piece, with concern that 60°C and 90°C washes might not heat up quickly enough in winter.
- Likely cause
- No fault was reported. The accepted reply said the machine should still operate on cold fill only because it heats the water itself and monitors the temperature rising, so cycles may simply take longer.
- What fixed it
- Accepted advice was that using a cold supply only should not stop the machine working, though wash times may increase while the appliance heats the water. The stronger caution was protecting pipework and the machine from freezing in an outbuilding: lag the pipes and turn the taps off when the machine is not in use. In very cold weather, the reply also described clearing water from the inlet valve after use by shutting off the tap and starting a fill so the machine attempts to draw in the remaining water, then cancelling the programme.
- Checks to try
- Concern raised about whether 60°C and 90°C programmes would reach temperature quickly enough on cold feed only
- Accepted reply stated the machine software monitors temperature changes while heating
- Advice given to protect against freezing by lagging pipes and turning taps off when not in use
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Y-piece
Safety: Take precautions against freezing in an outbuilding, as frozen water in the valve can crack components and cause leaks when reused.
1 Answer
Hopefully someone can post about their experience, but I've never used a washing machine anywhere but in a kitchen. However I've repaired many in garages and other out-buildings. The cold shouldn't stop it working. It may take a little longer, but the software should continue working as long as the water is being heated. They monitor the temperature changes and should detect that it's being raised.
Can you use a washing machine with cold water supply only?
A bigger concern is freezing pipes. Make sure they are lagged, and always turn the taps off when the washing machine isn't being used. A couple of times I've seen washing machines completely written off when the water valve inside the washing machine cracked after the water inside froze. The next time the washing machine was used the water sprayed everywhere inside soaking the programmer and the motor. However these where rare instances and I can't remember if it was after particularly severe cold weather or not. I can't even remember the exact siting of the washing machine either. Hopefully a decent garage wouldn't get that cold. If weather was particularly cold, you can remove the water from the valves after washing by turning the tap off and putting the washer onto a non fast coloureds program which would draw in the water from the hose and valve. After the washer has tried to fill (you should hear a humming) cancel the program.
(Related: Why are washing machines cold fill only?)
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