Using a timer in the washing machine.

stamford

Big_Bird wrote: »

A substantial number of house fires are started by electrical faults in washing machines and dishwashers. If you're running them while your family is asleep make sure you have good smoke alarms fitted and have planned a means of escape.
Personally I wouldn't take the risk.

So you occupy yourself in daylight hours monitoriring all the electrical items in your house ? Better to be safe than sorry I guess

nick74

Unless you need to get at least 2 loads done every day there is really no point in having the machine running in the very early hours of the morning. I time mine so it just finishes its cycle a few minutes before the E7 goes off at 8.30 (or 7.30 in the winter). It avoids having it running when everyone is trying to sleep in the small hours, which is better from both a noise and a fire safety perspective.

MarkyMarkD

We also run the machines to finish at waking up time - there's no point in wet washing sitting in the machine for ages. But the noise issue isn't a problem for use given the bedrooms are not near the utility room which is a single storey, flat-roofed extension!

stamford

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

We also run the machines to finish at waking up time - there's no point in wet washing sitting in the machine for ages. But the noise issue isn't a problem for use given the bedrooms are not near the utility room which is a single storey, flat-roofed extension!

Hold tight these cautious citizens have concerns, we are living in the Nanny State remember - :

A substantial number of house fires are started by electrical faults in washing machines and dishwashers. If you're running them while your family is asleep

looby-loo_2

I do the same as Marky. Set the timer. Use the override switch on the timer to switch the machine on and let it run for about one/two second then switch the timer off. At the set time it will come on. When doing this with my machine I hear a 'click' which tells me the electronic programme is activated and I switch off quickly before the water starts.

Having said this most days I'm up early enough to just start it when I get up especially as I use the quick wash prorammes.

Also, re dish washer, I was surprised to notice that the ECO 50 uses more energy than the regular 65 but it does use less water. If I was on a water meter I'd be working out the merits of each!

rogro

Hi
Please be aware with using timers on washing machines.
I use to do this and found that after a while the timer burns out because it was not constructed to switch a heavy load, IE the heating elements in the washing machines.

beedeedee

My washing machine caught fire - see the "Don't use Calgon" thread. As tempting as it sounds to save money, please don't have the machine on when you're all asleep.....

afm_2

Thank you very much for all the replies. I will be very careful with the washing machine. I have been using it at 6am but I found out today that it was counting on the day rate. I really can't understand why.

Thanks,
Alexandra

Cardew

afm wrote: »

Thank you very much for all the replies. I will be very careful with the washing machine. I have been using it at 6am but I found out today that it was counting on the day rate. I really can't understand why.

Thanks,
Alexandra

Assuming you have Economy 7, it should be on the cheaper rate at 6am. The earliest it should finish is 6;30.

I suggest you contact your energy company to sort the fault out.

livelife_2

I have just moved into a house that is supplied by my work which has economy 7. As well as thinking about the washing machine I was wondering about the hot water system. The system is a standard old one (which I won't change as its not my house) run by gas with a hot water tank and immersion . Has anyone set up a timer to heat the hot water via the immersion heater at 7am or so? This would heat the water for the day on economy 7 which is cheaper than the gas price.
Mike