Running The Washing Machine with Only The Cold Water Inlet

We're in the market for a new washing machine.
Our previous washer was a brand called Indesit (the same company that makes Ariston appliances), and it only had a cold water inlet.

The old machine worked perfectly, and we always ran our washes during daylight hours to save on energy as we 5kw Solar System.
It ran 40 °C and 60°C wash cycles with the cold water inlet; however, it took about 2 hours for the 40 °C Cycle and about 2.5 hours for the 60 °C cycle, as it had to heat the water inside the machine. Still it was ok as we never had any urgency to get the wash cycle finished early.

Now the Question we are facing is, some of the brands such as LG and Samsung washers have both hot and cold water inlets.

I would like to know if connecting only the cold water inlet to a washer that has hot and cold inlets be OK?
(We don't want to spend money on hot water, as we have Solar to heat the water inside the machine if LG and Samsung washers can heat water internally)

appreciate any inputs on this.

Comments

  • +1

    This would depend on specific models. Presumably you are focused on front loaders, some of these have heating units for the water, others don't and rely on hot water tap. You need to check the specific model you're considering.

    Alternatively, you can sign up to OVO Energy or others where you get 3 hours free electricity between 11AM-2PM and use the smart app to program your washing machine, dishware, air con etc to switch on during that period at zero charge. That's what we do now with LG's ThinQ app. Load up everything at night, and it switches on at 11:01 next morning. Pool filter timer next on the list.

    • +1

      My solar system generates free electricity from around 9.30AM to around 3.30PM in Winter and even longer when daylight saving is active. So there's little value for us in electricity retailer's free energy offer.
      My main concern is around the washers ability to heat water internally.

  • -2

    Can you plumb the 2 lines to one, (fool the machine) on any of the machines with 2 water hose inward? Maybe narrow the list first and ask manufacturers directly. We have a F & P FLWM with 2 lines on and most times choose 40C, off peak.. Not sure if it heats to 40C or uses a combo of the water hoses in. But it works and has been great for many years. Has all the features we want,inc timer delay lots of wash/spin/soak options as well.

  • +5

    Cold washes fine.

  • +1

    Yes, you only need to connect the cold water.

    Some models have their own heating element and the hot connection is just there to save on electricity costs if that's a thing for someone.

    Others without a heating element will just wash your clothes in cold water, which is fine for everything other than the most soiled loads anyhow.

    Either way you will not damage your machine by not having a hot water pipe attached.

  • +2

    Indesit

    Who?

    the same company that makes Ariston appliances

    Also who?

    • +3

      They have re branded for the hundredth time in Australia now as Whirlpool but it is owned and distributed by a company called Arisit.
      Which is Whirlpool, Ariston, Arisit, Tisira, Husky, Sirus, Sanus, Thor etc.
      Most of it is honestly junk and the Arisit company is parted owned by Harvey Norman which their franchises are forced to stock and are KPI'd to sell all the way down to a Thor surge protector….
      https://www.channelnews.com.au/harvey-norman-distributed-whi…

      So Whirlpool in Australia is not the Whirlpool product you would expect and is completely different overseas.

      • Most of it is honestly junk

        That is an extreme accusation. What proof do you have that it is junk?

        owned by Harvey Norman

        Oh there it is! :P

        Thanks for the detailed response :)

        • Been in the appliance industry for over 15 years and have previously worked at Harvey Norman so can definitely say it's junk, like knowingly manufacture terrible product like washing machines that rust for example and the product really hasn't changed as you can see the same exact issues with the re branded product.

          https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/ariston

          https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/whirlpool-australi…

          • @Retailing: Many years ago, Ariston was a good brand in Europe (based in Italy) for kitchen appliances.
            We also purchased the old washer from Harvey Norman factory clearance in 2010. Probably it was a returned item that HN sold us without repairing.

            The touch panel was dead on arrival, and a technician came in and replaced it under warranty.
            Rust started appearing around the bottom front after about 5 years, but it never bothered us.

            • @focus123: When I used to repair washing machines, Ariston were the worst.

              They are the one brand I refuse to touch.

          • @Retailing: So what's the recommendation then ⁉️

            • +1

              @Murkymerv: I would recommend Bosch, they cater for different price points by utilising other factories they have around the world instead of outsourcing the product and they keep the main components the same like Eco Silence Drive motors, pumps etc. and then you just have the option to pay for additional features.
              They were awarded Choice most reliable washing machines and Most trusted brand with Readers Digest and from experience just less issues than so many other brands.

  • about 2.5 hours for the 60 °C cycle

    Sounds like it would pair well with a heat pump dryer, which apparently tends to take longer to dry a load than a regular less efficient dryer.

  • Quality Sorny and Panaphonic brands by the sounds of it…

  • +4

    Most front loaders only have Cold water connection as it is more efficient for the machine to heat just the water it needs to as it enters the machine.

    It is less common to have a Hot water connection as it is only more efficient if the Hot water connected is heated by Solar for example and even then the temperature to that tap needs to be regulated at the correct temperature or it defeats the purpose because it can't be too hot and if it is too cold the machine will kick in the element and heat the water.

  • +1

    Connect both and just use cold water settings.

    • This is what we do. Too scared to have an unconnected outlet in case any water leaks out.

      • You can always cap the hot water it.

    • -1

      That's not what the OP wants.

      Plus it's a good idea to run a hot wash once in a while to help clean the machine.

  • +1

    It wouldn't make sense for a washing machine to have a hot water inlet and an internal heater to heat cold water to hot. Surely they are going to either have an internal heater or rely on hot water from an external water heater.

    Looking at the way my washing machine is plumbed I wouldn't run it with no hot water hose. The tap is above the washing machine. The two valves are plumbed together inside the machine and are plumbed together to pour water into the top of the bowl through the same outlet. If both cold and hot valves are open - water setting on warm - water could come in the cold inlet and some could come out the hot inlet. For mine I'd connect the hot water inlet to the hot water tap, but turn the tap off.

    A washing machine that took 2.5 hours to do a washing cycle because it took that long to heat the water would drive me crazy.

    • +1

      You must sit there then, looking at your watch while the washing is on.

  • Just wash in cold water….no need to heat it!

    • +1

      That's not what the OP wants.

      Plus it's a good idea to run a hot wash once in a while to help clean the machine.

  • +3

    I'm sure it's ok to run just the cold water inlet. Just cap off the hot water inlet.

    Are the LG/Samsung front loaders?

    All front loaders that I know of have built in water heaters, otherwise you can't run a 90deg wash.

    • Thanks, I got in touch with Samsung Technical support chat, and they confirmed that every Samsung washer has an inbuilt heater that can heat water up to 90 degrees Celsius. They recommended connecting cold water to the hot water inlet if we can't supply hot water from the tap (to avoid the water connection error messages).

  • The longer time taken for front loaders is nothing to do with heating the water. Because there is no agitator there is less wear on clothes and it takes longer to wash properly.

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