washing machine

[brackwell]

This is a bit more complicated than it seems and people should read this- http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/buying-related_2.html  and more importantly this  http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/wordpress/can-you-connect-the-hot-water-supply-to-the-cold-valve-on-cold-fill-washing-machines/

I would add that modern boilers have less than 50% efficiency in the DHW mode (measured by gas in /hot water at the outlet) before one starts!

I think washing machines must be well matched to PV if you have outside drying (how much electricity is being used on dryers ?)

Ken

[Mudman]

brackwell, that reference about not feeding hot water into the cold water inlet is largely irrelevant if you use a TMV to make sure the right temperature goes in- we use one from navitorn (horne- a particularly good make but i've seen other makes a lot cheaper recently) to give the washing machine (and also the dishwasher) water at about 48degrees. only problem is (as the reference says) that you have hot water in the rinse stage, which does indeed give more creasing of clothes but as 50pc of our washing is nappies we don't really care!
the more refined options (eg Ian) with selenoids and timers would be good if i could be bothered!
the reduction in electricity usage is huge (84pc in our case for a short 40deg wash cycle) and it's a good use of what for us is free HW. less so with the dishwasher (don't have figures right now but think it was a 40pc reduction) but still a saving. Keeps our mean daily electicity usage around 3.25kwh which is great.
MM

[brackwell]

If one has solar, as i do, and one is mindful of the issues, which i doubt most people are,then hot fill (or should it be warm fill) is a given. However i suspect that less than 1% of the population as access to free DHW.   

The problem is people have numerous washing cycles,temps and means of DHW production but i feel that for the majority cold fill is good.  Bearing in mind that a sample of 13  regular condensing boilers had a average efficiency (gas used to hot water output) of 26.8% !!   and combis are no better on short use.

Ken

[al_uk]

Hi Ken, do you have a link to the study on DHW efficiency for condensing and condensing combis? Sounds interesting.

Thanks!

[Baz]

Say the following in an american TV advertising voice!


STILL WASHING CLOTHES THE OLD FASHIONED WAY USING <shocked voice> ELECTRICITY?

YOU NEED


THE LAUNDRY POD

http://www.thelaundrypod.com/

It came through on an junk mail from a company that normally specialises in selling things that consume electricity. Kind of amusing how the old washtub has resurfaced, - in plastic of course.

[Eleanor]

If only I'd seen it before buying the twin tub  Not sure I'd have the oomph to get the clothes dry enough  Maybe a wheel for the dog to run on would do it 

[biff]

in "travels with charley" steinbecks last tour around america, he washed his clothes in a plastic barrell which sat on the floor at the back of his camper,the rocking, bumping motion of the camper was enough to wash his clothes and occasionally he would stop and set up camp and rince and dry a load.
              biff

[brackwell]

Al  -uk,

Sorry for being a bit slow.  http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Publications2/Housing-professionals/Heating-systems/In-situ-monitoring-of-efficiencies-of-condensing-boilers-and-use-of-secondary-heating-trial-final-report

Ken