Can my washing machine work on a cold water feed only?

Question

I only have a cold water feed as my machine is outside, will it still work or do I need to get another plumber out and connect it to the hot pipes aswell? Also do they have an internal heater?

Answer 1

I have a combi boiler which cannot be used for connecting to washing machines. I have two water pipes from the machine plumbed into the cold water supply. The washing machine heats the water up to whatever temperature required for the wash programme you are using. The only difference is that it takes a little longer for the wash cycle but in my 20 years or so of washing for my family of 5 I've not suffered and certainly not had dirty school shirts! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Lets be clear,all machines have internal heater elements!They have sensors/thermostats that read the incoming water temp along with the programme selection module.The internal heater works in conjunction with these,as and when reqrd.Best bet is to buy a "y" junction connector that goes on to your cold supply pipe,and then connect both your hot and cold hoses from the machie to the two connections left on the "y"junction.Available from diy or plumbers shop for a couple of pounds.This prevents any back leakage from an unconnected hot connection on the machine.

Answer 3

I had new washing machine only yesterday and YES it only has a cold water feed. And the reason is the new machines have these so that your not using your own hot water out of tank and the machine DOES have an internal water heater to bring the selected wash to the right temp. He explained to me that this is more energy efficient. It should work just off cold no problem.

Answer 4

~ Great question... sodapups5...

~ Yes, the hot water heater will work with just cold water only feed.

~ No, you don't need a plumber to install a hot water line to the outside washing machine area (unless you can afford it... and if in a cold/freezing climate area, have both hot/cold pipes insulated to prevent freezing... and for hot water, to keep water hot.

~ No, washing machines do NOT have internal heaters, unless you order a specific design for 'on demand hot water'.

~ The white clothes will suffer over the long term, not getting the hot water to help break down the grease/stains, but check your detergents for washing in COLD water only... to cover most all of your family's needs.

Answer 5

yes u can use ur washin machine on a cold feed only u just turn the hot pipe off and yes a washing machine has internal thermostat which means it can heat its own water but it uses more electricity to do so.

Answer 6

FIRST Check with your washing machine manufacturer.
My new machine only has cold fill as previous responders say to heat only the amount of water that is needed for a particular wash.
But if you want to WASH with cold water then thats fine too. though you need ot fiind a detergent that will work in cold temperaturers as not all do they need warm water to dissolve properly, especially the liquid tabs. I found some gel in my clothes and realised i had done a 30 C wash so it hadn't dissolved the outer gel completely. ( now if I am doing very low temperature washing I dissolve the lquid tabs first in some warm water.
I use liquid tabs as they DO NOT have the same phosphates in them like the powders/tabs do.

But really you need to check with the manufacturer and tell them which model you have.

good luck

Answer 7

I have a cold water feed only washing machine and it heats the water up to the required temperature.
I don't understand the answers you got that says they don't because i can asure you if you have a machine that is specifically cold fill only then it will heat up....if you have a machine that is supposed to be filled by hot and cold THEN it doesn't have an internal heater and won't heat the cold water.

Answer 8

If it has a hot connection on the back, then you have to use hot water as well. With cold fill only, the water won't heat up. there are some machines with cold fill only, but they have a heater built in to get the cold water up to temperature.

Answer 9

Most washing machines will heat the water to the required temperature for the wash so a cold water feed will work. It will however, be more expensive to run because the washing machine heater is probably less efficient than your household water heater.

Answer 10

It can work with just a cold water feed as long as you are happy washing stuff in cold water (which is okay with most people, and is just about mandatory if you have hard water). Be sure that the water temperature selector is set to have everything cold; it may be necessary to tie off the hot side inlet so water does not escape from it. (If this is necessary, just pick up a sillcock at the hardware store, make sure that it is shut off, and connect the hot washer hose to it.) Washing machines do not heat water (previous responder is wrong).