What changes can we make to our lives to deal with the economic and energy crises ahead? Have you already started making preparations? Got tips to share?
adam2 wrote:When purchasing a washing machine, choose one in which the desired program is selected by turning a knob or dial and not on a digital display.
The ones with a digitally selected programe cant be used with a timeswitch in order to make best use of an off peak tarrif.
Also if the power fails even very briefy during a wash, the digital type must be restarted again at the begining of the wash, the older sort simply resume from where they stopped.
Adam, I think that most new washing machines, now use an EEPROM, to memorise the status of the appliance in the event of a power failure and many have delay start, I know ours does.
Some years ago I visited a wool secretariat testing laboratory and they were using a bank of Miele washing machines that ran all day long six days of the week. Good enough recommendation for me.
Let nobody suppose that simple, inexpensive arrangements are faulty because primitive. If constructed correctly and in line with natural laws they are not only right, but preferable to fancy complicated devices.
Rolfe Cobleigh
RenewableCandy wrote:That looks like a right Posser!
Let nobody suppose that simple, inexpensive arrangements are faulty because primitive. If constructed correctly and in line with natural laws they are not only right, but preferable to fancy complicated devices.
Rolfe Cobleigh
My machine (the Bosch) does 0.36 kWh on a 40 degC standard wash and 0.7 kWh on 60 degC (elec only: it takes hw from the gas-fired boiler). I think it's about 1.3 kWh for a 95 degC wash but I don't do that very often.
Thanks everyone for the replies. I haven't been on the board as I've been travelling for work.
FWIW, the Tricity was recommended by the repairman as a model made by Zanussi, with their build quality, but without the expensive features, and so cheaper to buy.
I shall get the back off tomorrow and have a look, but it really does sound like bearings. If I can fix it, I will - I'm pretty handy. I imagine that getting the right bearings will be difficult though.
In the meantime, the neighbours are doing our washing. Thank goodness for social capital. Time to bake a cake!
adam2 wrote:When purchasing a washing machine, choose one in which the desired program is selected by turning a knob or dial and not on a digital display.
Your on to something there adam. My dads washing machine has a dial which you now need a pair of pliers to turn and set the program. It's still working though and it's 10 years since we carried it up the stairs to his flat (remember that well!) and it was a good 10 years old then.
When I get back there I'll check what make it is.
People recommending Miele doesn't suprise me at all. Around the time I carried that washing machine I was doing "industrial cleaning" for a job. Quite often what this meant was cleaning up on buildng sites after work was finished. We had a load of Miele vacuum cleaners and used to literally just go in and hoover everything up!! Screws, bits of plaster, little bits of wood.. everything.. and they kept right on going. I couldn't believe it the shit we were hoovering up with them but they were tough machines.
There are all sorts of forums and spares about w m/cs floating around on the 'net. You might be able to get a replacement knob (erm perhaps I should re-phrase that...)
Well I've had the thing apart and it can't be repaired. The outer drum can't be taken apart, it's all a sealed unit with the inner drum, spider, bearings etc. The whole thing is available as a replacement but it's nearly the cost of a new machine.....
featherstick wrote:Well I've had the thing apart and it can't be repaired. The outer drum can't be taken apart, it's all a sealed unit with the inner drum, spider, bearings etc. The whole thing is available as a replacement but it's nearly the cost of a new machine.....
Do you know any small friendly repairers who may have an old machine that's failed for a different reason?
Mine sold me a reconditioned one with a different brand name from the same manufacturer, that uses the same drum as the old one, but the other bits are more repairable. When I suggested using the drum for an outdoor fire he suggested I keep it as a spare, and he would dig out an old knackered one if I wanted it.
Bought a 9kg 1200 rpm whirlpool from the little independent shop around the corner. I'll get the inner drum out of this one to make into a fire pit. I'm now settling in for a long fight with John Lewis. Either they refund me half the price of the washing machine, or I'll make sure that any profit they made on the sale is absorbed by answering my calls and letters. Incidentally, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 makes provision for a "reasonable life" of 6 years for a washing machine.
You may find them surprisingly helpful if you state your case calmly. They might want the machine back so you had better wait before dismantling it. . As for the fight, remember the proverb, He who seeks vengeance must dig two graves.
