Washing machine temp question

Meadows

louby40 wrote: »

I have a decent washing machine which has the ability to lower the timings for each cycle.
I tend to wash most things at 40 degrees and I alter the time from 1 hr 20 minutes to a 40 minute cycle.
I could wash at 30 degrees for 1 hour 5 minutes.
Which would be more economical? 30 degrees for longer or 40 degrees for shorter?
I can also lower the 30 degree wash to 20 minutes but sometimes things don't come out completely clean!

Not economical at all if reducing the temperature means the clothes are not washed as well and the lower the temperature the less bacteria is killed!

Cardew

ronangel wrote: »

I have just rechecked the consumption and it is 14 watts at 230 volts ( 13 watts at 228 volts and 15 watts at 235 volts) this would depend on time of day and load on grid. The model number of LG is F1403YD5 I do not know exactly what this power is used for but see your point, It is probability used for “soft switching” where the mains goes through a power supply unit as in a computer with low voltage on panel switches. If you contact the manufacture to find out please let us all know the answer. I have had machine for 2 years and so far no problems, unplugging after each use.
I would be happy to dismantle the machine and take various readings to find EXACTLY where the power goes and what it is used for providing you with a short technical report. If this is required please Arrange to send martin £120-00p to cover my professional fees which he can donate to the charity of his choice. Upon confirmation from martin I will prepare report.
( Thought not..Grin). hopefully others will find this free tip useful.

Is it your assumption that all washing machines have a standby consumption of 15watts or just your particular LG model?

http://www.lg.com/uk/washing-machines/lg-F1403YD5-integrated-washer-dryer

Twice the Performance, Half the Space




8Kg Washer 4Kg Dryer






F1403YD5

• 6 motions
• Load Sensor
• Stand-By-Power Zero
• Large transparent door

The technical specification also emphasises the standby consumption as being zero.

Is it still under guarantee?;)

rogerblack

My hotpoint WDS540, for example uses well under half a watt, with the 'ready' LED on.
However - how is this being measured?
Some meters are inaccurate at low loads.
If the meter does not take power factor into account, the input smoothing capacitors may draw 15 VAR (NOT WATTS).
Residential users do not pay for VAR.

ronangel

Cardew wrote: »

Is it your assumption that all washing machines have a standby consumption of 15watts or just your particular LG model?

http://www.lg.com/uk/washing-machines/lg-F1403YD5-integrated-washer-dryer



The technical specification also emphasises the standby consumption as being zero.

Is it still under guarantee?;)

Just renewed extra 3 years, as parts are expensive to replace. but as working perfectly. no point in calling for 14 watt thing as I am not worried. connected to RCD controlled circuit which will trip at slightest current leak to earth and has not done so far. and as stated unplugged after every wash, to save electricity, and also if not plugged in nothing wearing out.

Cardew

The point is about the nugatory advice to anyone reading your initial post!

ronangel

Cardew wrote: »

The point is about the nugatory advice to anyone reading your initial post!

The bottom line to all this is:
If you think your washing machine takes power when not in use unplug it.

Cardew

ronangel wrote: »

The bottom line to all this is:
If you think your washing machine takes power when not in use unplug it.

Many washing machines have their socket 'hidden' behind the machine, and to unplug requires the appliance to be pulled out to access the plug and socket.

Your post and advice was unequivocal:

Always UNPLUG or switch off electricity EXTERNALLY to the machine after you have emptied it.

I can understand that if you have a faulty machine(which apparently applies to your appliance) that is good advice. However it is not necessary for most machines and I am not aware of any manufacturer that gives similar advice.

ronangel

Cardew wrote: »

Many washing machines have their socket 'hidden' behind the machine, and to unplug requires the appliance to be pulled out to access the plug and socket.

Your post and advice was unequivocal:



I can understand that if you have a faulty machine(which apparently applies to your appliance) that is good advice. However it is not necessary for most machines and I am not aware of any manufacturer that gives similar advice.

I do not believe that my machine is faulty in any way that might be dangerous or need of immediate attention and that it is a characteristic of the model which may not be reflected in the manufactures sales data or somehow lost in translation .
I only suggest that people should unplug their machines to save electricity costs if they are concerned it may take power on standby, which is the point of this forum and not for any safety reasons. If a person is worried about any appliance then I suggest they get professional advice from the manufacture or dealer, I cannot make any suggestion without examining the particular appliance as an engineer, the same way as a doctor cannot diagnose exactly what is wrong with a patient on the phone.

rogerblack

ronangel wrote: »

I only suggest that people should unplug their machines to save electricity costs if they are concerned it may take power on standby,

How have you measured the standby power?

ronangel

rogerblack wrote: »

How have you measured the standby power?

With a power meter that plugs into the mains socket and the machine into it then you scale through and read watts, current, volts ,power factor. it also shows accumulative total kwatt usage over time so the total cost of wash cycle can be worked out by programming the unit cost of electricity into it, if required which I have not done on this test.
Just retested machine again shows: 0.06 amps 14w 230 volts power factor 1.00 I also have various professional electronic and analogue test meters and a manually operated PAT tester, which I have not used as not necessary. I think machine has a switching power supply similar to computer but have not dismantled or seen circuit diagram.