Comments on: Low water pressure and washing machines

By: Washerhelp

Washerhelp — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:18:36 +0000

Hello Jo. If it’s the ISE 10 you are interested in here’s a quote from the ISE10 instruction book -

Connection to water supply. Water pressure should be 0.1–1MPa (approx. 1–10kp/cm2 ; 10-100N/cm2)

Unfortunately it’s not in Bars, but a quick check on Google reveals MPA’s are “millipascal” and 0.1-1MPa is equal to 1 Bar.

By: Jo Parish

Jo Parish — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:40:14 +0000

Hi there, do you know what the minimum pressure is for the ISE washing machines? I can’t find it on the ISE website but am strongly considering buying one and need to check first. (Our water supply is shared between three terraced houses, so pressure can be very low at times.) Many thanks.

By: Washerhelp

Washerhelp — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:56:25 +0000

Thanks for your contribution Andy:

“Finally if an old Solenoid closes at 0.2 bar why do they specify 1 bar to keep it closed?”

They would need to build in a safety buffer. If they allowed water pressure that was just strong enough to work ok then any drop in pressure caused by other appliances or taps drawing water at the same time or maybe even partial blockages or kinks in pipework etc would cause the valve not to close. By specifying at least twice the pressure actually required it allows for it to drop by half and still be safe.

“..and if the machine is left powered on but in standby, why can’t the water level be monitored and automatically pumped out if it rises, giving a warning that a fault occurred, without flooding the kitchen?”

I remember Hoover washing machines used to activate the water pump if the water level rose dangerously high even if the washing machine was not operating as long as it was left plugged in. Many people turn off their machines after use so any such method couldn’t be relied on but it would be a good idea for machines to detect water rising inside the machine even when not operating and operate the water pump and produce a warning.

By: Andy Milton

Andy Milton — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:19:16 +0000

5 years ago I replaced my washing machine (H+C fill) for a Miele washing machine (Cold fill) and returned it within a week, due to low pressure error.
As this was the first time I experience this type of problem I did a little research and came to the same conclusion as yourself, regarding H+C verses Cold only fill machines, and Mechanical verses Software driven systems.
I have a standard 4 bedroom House with a Tank fed Hot + Cold water system which is approx. 5m high, which by my calculations gives me about 0.5 bar -the Miele Washing machine required 1 Bar minimum, hence my problem at the time.
Luckily, 5 years ago there were still some H+C Machines available.
I bought a Hotpoint WF860 with Electronic controller and H+C fill, which incredibly only needed a minimum of 3 psi or 0.2 bar!! and never had any issues with low pressure errors.
Due to heavy use I am looking at replacing my washer, but finding it almost impossible to find any H+C machines now.
As mentioned by Robert(comment #34) some makes will still run at 0.5 bar.
I am looking at a Hotpoint AQ9D69 which is cold fill with Electronic Control which should run at 0.5 bar.
Hotpoints reply to my enquiry about Tank fed systems was “Generally our appliances are set up to operate on mains pressure between 0.5bar – 10bar, however water from a tank presumably gravity fed may cause a problem if it falls below the minimum valve operating parameter.
Unfortunately its not set in stone and you need to be made aware the appliance may not operate correctly.”

I have talked to my neighbours (similar House and water system)
to enquire what machines they are using and the minimum pressure specified -theirs work OK with a spec. of 0.5bar.
Those with a similar situation might also consider talking to their neighbours -most people like to be helpful.

Finally if an old Solenoid closes at 0.2 bar why do they specify 1 bar to keep it closed?, and if the machine is left powered on but in standby, why can’t the water level be monitored and automatically pumped out if it rises, giving a warning that a fault occured, without flooding the kitchen. -one for the manufacturers

By: Washerhelp

Washerhelp — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:59:04 +0000

Thanks Brenda: Can you elaborate a little on how these machines are good for low water pressure?