Washing machine problems happen to all of us. The label on your clothes says to wash in warm water, but when you turn on the warm water cycle, only cold water comes out. You try again and the same thing happens.
If you’re having washing machine issues, call Top Shelf Appliance at (253) 486-9072. We can schedule your appointment for the same day you call and answer any washer repair questions you may have.
Check the General Water Temperature
If you’re doing the laundry on a particularly hot day, the baseline water temperature (tap water) may be warmer than it typically is. If you choose the warm or hot water cycle, the temperature sensor in your washing machine may read the water temperature as correct, despite you noticing that the water feels cool.
Similarly, regardless of the time of year, check both the hot and cold water coming out of other taps in your home. If there is no hot water or the water is heating very slowly, there may be an issue with your water heater.
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Check the Valves and Hoses
For the majority of washing machines, water is pumped in through two valves on the back. One valve is for hot water flow, the other is for cold water flow. Only one valve works at a time. Most washing machines will begin by dispensing cold water then, using the temperature sensors, increase hot water flow from the other valve, if necessary.
Sometimes, homeowners are only checking the water temperature at the beginning of a wash cycle. However, if there is still an issue and hot or warm water is not flowing into your washing machine, there could be another problem.
- Check behind the washing machine to ensure the hot water valve is open
- Investigate to see if the hot water hose is clogged
- Examine the mesh filters in the hoses. If there is a clog or obstruction in the filter, it can restrict hot or cold water flow
An issue we see frequently is that the cold and hot water supply hoses connected to the back of a washing machine are reversed. If this is the case for your washing machine, the hoses can be switched back to their proper positions and the washer should work properly. The hoses could also be reversed at the water faucet.
Water Temperature Standards
It can also help to understand that your standard for hot, warm, and cold water may be different than your washing machine’s understanding of the water temperature.
Cold water is typically tap water, so the temperature on a cold wash can vary by season. On a very hot day, the cold or tap water setting can produce water that feels very warm. On a very cold day, the cold or tap water setting can feel downright frigid.
Warm water is your washing machine’s mix of cold and hot water. This mix can depend on your washing machine model and the year it was manufactured. More recent washing machine models have been updated to make them more energy-efficient. By slightly reducing the amount of hot water that flowed into the washing machine, it saved energy without altering washing effectiveness.
Hot water is the same temperature as the hot water supply in the rest of your home. Many washing machines do not heat water on their own, so, often, the hot water that flows from your sink faucet is the same hot water that your washing machine uses for a hot cycle.
Other Issues Your Washer May Be Having
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it’s time to give the pros at Top Shelf Appliance a call. Here are some of the issues we commonly see with washing machine temperature control.
- Loose or damaged wiring to and from the water inlet valve
- Damaged or malfunctioning hot water solenoid valve
- Malfunctioning timer or heater mechanism
- Faulty automatic temperature control
- An issue with the timer
- Problem with the thermistor on the water inlet valve assembly
- Defective temperature selector switch
- Failed temperature control board or main control board
The Most Effective Temperatures for Laundry
Many people will never even realize there could be an issue with washing machine water temperature as they wash with cold water almost exclusively. Experts, such as the U.S. Department of Energy, generally recommend washing clothes using cold water because it saves a great deal of energy. Heating the water for a warm or hot water cycle in your washing machine uses more than 90% of the energy.
Washing items in hot water can also shrink them, fade and run the colors, and make fabric wear out more quickly.
Schedule Your Washing Machine Service Appointment Today
If your washing machine is having water temperature control issues that simple troubleshooting can’t solve, call Top Shelf Appliance at (253) 486-9072.
We offer in-home service the same day you call and our experienced technicians arrive on time within your scheduled two-hour window. We always have access to the parts you need for any brand of washer and we offer a 90-day warranty on all repairs.
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