Increased Electricity Cost ??

[seekeerz]

We recently put in a new washing machine after 20 years, and the 'cold water only' hose came as a surprise !!
Haven't received an electricity bill yet, but has anyone noticed a rise in the cost of their power or are the new machines as economical as they say ?

[EDDIE51]

Washing machines have been 'cold fill only' for at least 10 years now. Modern detergents are supposed to work well at 30 deg C so hot washes are not nessesary. We very rarely use a wash temp of more than 40 deg , the normal temperature for domestic hot water is around 60 deg so too hot for modern washing detergents.

[hc4361]

This machine will be more efficient. Your old machine let hot water in then used cold water to bring it down to the correct temperature. If your hot water wasn't hot enough, it heated it.
Meanwhile your hot water tank was depleting and filling up with cold water that needed to be heated.

Your new machine will use less water, less detergent and less energy.

[hc4361]

Forgot to add it probably has a much higher spin rate, too, so your laundry should come out that much drier. Saves money if you have to use a tumble drier.

[seekeerz]

thank you both for your help, please divide the 'Best answer' between you

[gingejbee]

However, if you do use lower wash temperatures most of the time, you should do an occasional hot wash to keep the machine running well. The handbook will explain all........

[diddlydo]

Sorry, but in my experience low temperature washes do NOT get clothes clean, especially whites. 60 degrees needed for the latter.

[gingejbee]

diddlydo: could it be your detergent? According to Which? tests, powders are much better at keeping things white, compared with liquids and gels etc and some powders are much better than others, even at low temperatures.

[Connemmara]

I use ACE bleach for my whites - absolutely brilliant - you should pour it on top of your powdery detergent. it is really good - i keep loadsa bottles.