Quizzes & Puzzles2 mins ago
Washing Machine Enquiry
14 Answers
Here's a conversation I have had at currys:
How is it that 3 hr cycle is more economical than a 30 min cycle on this washing machine?
Reply - it's like when you boil water in a kettle. It boils quicker than a pan of water so it takes more energy
Really, I thought that a pint of water would take the same amount of energy to reach a given temperature given same pressure. It might take longer in the pan but overall isn't the same amount of energy required?
Have the laws of physics changed or am I being thick?
How is it that 3 hr cycle is more economical than a 30 min cycle on this washing machine?
Reply - it's like when you boil water in a kettle. It boils quicker than a pan of water so it takes more energy
Really, I thought that a pint of water would take the same amount of energy to reach a given temperature given same pressure. It might take longer in the pan but overall isn't the same amount of energy required?
Have the laws of physics changed or am I being thick?
Answers
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You need to consider 'efficiency' when examining the transfer of energy. Much of the heat in a saucepan is lost through steam. By putting the water into a more confined space (such as a kettle) there's less heat loss that way. If you totally confine the water (as in a boiler or pressure cooker), there will be even less heat loss (and thus greater efficiency).
That doesn't mean that the assistant in Curry's wasn't talking b0ll0x though. That's standard procedure in Curry's stores ;-)
That doesn't mean that the assistant in Curry's wasn't talking b0ll0x though. That's standard procedure in Curry's stores ;-)
This (Australian) article seems to support the idea that using an 'eco' setting does, indeed, save energy.
That's because most of the energy used by a washing machine is used in heating the water (with only a fairly small amount being used to rotate the drum). By lowering the water temperature you can save more energy than the additional amount of energy that's needed to keep the drum rotating for the longer cycle that's needed in order to get everything as clean as it would be with a short, hot wash:
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I still can't see what that's got to do with the store assistant's somewhat dodgy explanation though!
That's because most of the energy used by a washing machine is used in heating the water (with only a fairly small amount being used to rotate the drum). By lowering the water temperature you can save more energy than the additional amount of energy that's needed to keep the drum rotating for the longer cycle that's needed in order to get everything as clean as it would be with a short, hot wash:
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I still can't see what that's got to do with the store assistant's somewhat dodgy explanation though!
You should have pointed out that if the drum rotates for three hours, your drum bearings, motor and pump are doing six times more work than need be, than if it did a 30 min wash. Therefore the new machine should have a life expectancy of one sixth of the life of an older less efficient machine !
Try John Lewis .. their machines come with at least a 2 year warranty as standard. Not to mention they cover the whole price range.
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Try John Lewis .. their machines come with at least a 2 year warranty as standard. Not to mention they cover the whole price range.
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I buy all my domestic appliances from here.
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I've someone posting on here, Tony, with difficulties in getting their computer to connect to the internet. It was a classic problem that I've fixed for people many times before, by simply providing them with instructions on how to reset the TCP/IP stack. (It's dead easy and takes less than a minute to do).
Before they'd seen my reply though they'd taken their computer to PC World, who did a clean install of Windows (thus deleting all the documents, photos, videos, emails and software on it) and charged them sixty quid for effectively wrecking their computer. (PC World's standard 'fix', for anything they can't instantly diagnose, seems to be to reinstall Windows. That should always be the LAST resort, not the FIRST one!)
Before they'd seen my reply though they'd taken their computer to PC World, who did a clean install of Windows (thus deleting all the documents, photos, videos, emails and software on it) and charged them sixty quid for effectively wrecking their computer. (PC World's standard 'fix', for anything they can't instantly diagnose, seems to be to reinstall Windows. That should always be the LAST resort, not the FIRST one!)
Appliances Direct is generally well reviewed:
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It's AO though that really shines through with the top ratings for white goods sales:
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It's AO though that really shines through with the top ratings for white goods sales:
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