In most households, the washing machine is one of the biggest consumers of electricity. This is mainly due to the fact that heating the water for washing clothes consumes a lot of energy. Perhaps you have already thought about connecting your washing machine to the hot water to reduce costs? After all, the water is already heated and no longer needs to be heated electrically by the machine. But is this supposed money-saving tip really as effective as it sounds? Find out here!
What requirements must be met to connect a washing machine to hot water?
The most important point first: If you are now eager to connect your washing machine to hot water, you will probably be disappointed. This is because most commercially available washing machines only have a cold water connection. The majority of washing machines are designed to take cold water and heat it to the desired temperature of between 30° and 95°.
However, there are special models from a few manufacturers that have a separate hot and cold water connection. Of course, this extra is not for free: these appliances usually cost around 10 percent more than comparable standard models.
If you have decided to buy such a washing machine, you are faced with a new problem, because in addition to the right appliance, a suitable hot water connection must also be available. In apartment buildings, there is often a laundry room for all tenants, where you will usually only find a cold water pipe.
Bathrooms and kitchens, where washing machines are often located, have a hot water connection, but in most cases this is already occupied. You would need to install a hot water double connection angle valve 🛒 to use the existing connection multiple times.
The temperature hook
A new washing machine is too expensive for you and you’re thinking about connecting the existing cold water connection of your washing machine to the hot water tap? That’s not a good idea! Hot water from the tap has a temperature of at least 60° for hygienic reasons. However, this water temperature is far too high for most textiles.
However, as your machine no longer has access to cold water, the temperature cannot be reduced and your favorite clothes will be ruined during washing. What’s more, the materials used in normal washing machines are not designed for continuous operation with hot water. The water hose, seals and other components can wear out more quickly due to the constant heat and lead to technical problems.
Technical solutions: If you still want to try
If you don’t have a washing machine with a double connection, there are still ways to use the hot water to do your laundry. All you need to do is connect special devices between your water connection and your machine:
- Mixer tapA mixer tap 🛒 is the cheapest, but also the most complex solution. With this appliance, you have to turn on the hot water yourself for each wash cycle and turn it off again after about ten minutes to then turn on the cold water. If you forget to do this, your laundry will be washed too hot.
- Thermostatic mixerA thermostatic mixer 🛒, on the other hand, is somewhat more convenient. This allows you to set the desired temperature, but you have to adjust it to the respective laundry before each wash cycle.
- BallastThese devices automatically mix hot and cold water to the set temperature and maintain it. However, such luxury comes at a price: ballasts cost from 300 euros upwards.
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Connecting the washing machine to hot water: Is it really worth the effort?
The key question is: will you actually save energy and money by connecting your washing machine to the hot water? That depends on several factors:
- Your washing behaviorIf you frequently wash at high temperatures, you can save money by connecting your washing machine to the hot water. If you tend to wash at low temperatures, it is not worth the effort.
- Your home’s hot water productionIf your hot water is produced electrically, you will hardly save any energy. With central heating using fossil fuels, moderate savings are possible.
- Climate-friendly water heatingThe hot water connection is most effective when the water is heated by a heat pump or solar thermal energy.
By the wayA modern washing machine consumes around 150 to 220 kilowatt hours a year for four washes a week, which corresponds to current electricity costs of 40 to 60 euros. The purchase and installation costs for special appliances or additional solutions therefore often only pay for themselves after many years.
Conclusion: Alternatives for saving energy
As tempting as the idea of using hot water from the tap to wash your dirty laundry in a cost-saving way sounds – on closer inspection, this supposed money-saving tip turns out to be more of a flop. Instead of investing in expensive conversions and accepting possible damage to your machine, you could consider buying a particularly energy-efficient washing machine and washing in an energy-saving way.
Using eco programs, washing at low temperatures and filling the washing drum correctly can also have a positive effect on your energy consumption. These measures are often more practical and can bring similar or even better savings than the costly connection of your washing machine to the hot water.
Source: haus.de
