Washing machine problem

[richie51]

Hi, I've just moved into my new home and I've noticed there's only one connection (blue) for the washing machine. My washing machine has 2 connections (red and blue), it's a Zanussi Aquacycle 1000. It does seem to work like a cold fill though as it doesn't start to warm up until about 30 mins into the cycle. If I just connected the blue hose would it work like a cold fill or do you think it wouldn't warm up. Is it a case of my having to buy another washing machine? Thanks, Richard.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

How old is the washing machine (only ask as it must of been about 10 years since I've fitted a hot to a washing machine)

And won't work sorry

 

[richie51]

It's getting on for 10 years old. Works perfectly as well. Sounds like a new one then. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Best]

Usually just need a Y connector piece that allows you to join your hot hose and cold both to the one cold washing machine valve.
Washing machines I think don't take hot water in until hottest wash cycles

 

[Best]

Here is a link to the Y piece -
Washing Machine Y Piece - Toolstation

 

[richie51]

Thanks, that sounds a clever gadget. So this Y piece will actually bring hot water into the machine when needed, even though there's only the one blue connection here in the kitchen? My plumbing knowledge is very limited, and I imagined the blue connection was only connected to the cold water.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thanks, that sounds a clever gadget. So this Y piece will actually bring hot water into the machine when needed, even though there's only the one blue connection here in the kitchen? My plumbing knowledge is very limited, and I imagined the blue connection was only connected to the cold water.

No will just supply cold water

 

[Best]

Thanks, that sounds a clever gadget. So this Y piece will actually bring hot water into the machine when needed, even though there's only the one blue connection here in the kitchen? My plumbing knowledge is very limited, and I imagined the blue connection was only connected to the cold water.

No, all that Y connector does is to allow you to have both your hot & cold hoses that come from your washing machine supplied with water. That means your machine will work, but will only ever draw in cold water.
As I earlier said, washing machines do not take hot water in anyway, unless on a very hot programme, I believe.
You could have a hot connection plumbed in if you wanted, but next new machine you buy will only need cold

 

[CHRISX]

L

Hello Richard,

If your existing Washing Machine is still in good working order and you would keep it if a Hot supply could be installed for it:

If your Washing Machine Cold / Mains Water supply is near to a Hot water pipe - for example either inside a Sink Unit or adjacent to - it would be less expensive to hire a Plumber to connect a Hot water supply for your Washing Machine than it would be to buy a new Machine.

If You engage a Plumber you should ask for a fixed price for the job including the pipe, valve & fittings- not be paying by the Hour as that can sometimes lead to an unexpectedly expensive Bill.

However IF You think that you want to replace the Washing Machine - as other Members have stated a new Machine would only require a Cold water supply.

Chris

 

[richie51]

A long shot I know, but is it worth running a cycle to see if the machine will warm the water itself if no hot water is being taken in. My 10 year old machine has always felt cold for a long time, then midway through the cycle it warms up. I always though this was the machine warming the water up, but is this only because it is taking in hot water after 30 minutes or so. Is it likely that the water will only stay cold to the end of the cycle? Thanks.

 

[Amateur]

I would have thought it would still heat the water if you put the 2 cold feeds to it as mentioned above. It must have a heating element or how could it achieve a 60 degree or boil wash via the hot inlet alone?

I am only an amateur so purely guesswork but i would have thought the hot water feed was more to aid economy versus the cost of an electrical heating element heating the water from cold.

 

[moonlight]

At this point you would be better just buying the y connector. Machines don't last forever. As all new washing machines are now cold fill only, if you had a new hot supply for your washing machine now you would need to cap it off later.

 

[Chuck]

I am only an amateur so purely guesswork but i would have thought the hot water feed was more to aid economy versus the cost of an electrical heating element heating the water from cold.

It had more to do with speed. If there is a supply of hot water the machine doesn't have to heat cold water by as many degrees and the cycle finished sooner. It probably reduced scaling problems marginally too.

Modern detergents don't require such high temperatures as they used to and modern machines use a much smaller amount of water than they used to so the hot feed became redundant.