"Dependable care" wash temp

[washerman]

I, been reading this forum for a while and hope to get some advice. Is there any way to decrease hot water useage on a 20 year old maytag COIN-OP (LA23CS). In other words, to "dumb down" when hot wash is selected to a lower temperature.
I have coin cost reduced to "absolute minimun" charge for users. Totally would hate to increase cost to users, at same time getting hit with hefty water heating bills. I'm between a rock and a hard spot. Finances getting worse monthly.
Need a compromised solution without incurring additional costs. Want to keep the same machine, cant replace, no $$$.

 

[thor]

Hot water cost

Can't you just turn down the water heater thermostat to a lower setting?

 

[washerman]

Thanks, but I am unable to lower water heater temp. Need higher temp due to long-run pipes to other points. Need remedy at washer itself, hope there is one !!!!!

 

[aaronfitzy]

Hmmmm.....

Turn the valve for the hot water inlet down half way and leave the cold on the whole way?

 

[dnastrau]

But if they select a hot wash...

...the machine will still fill up with hot water - just more slowly.

I don't see a simple solution to this one.

 

[qsd-dan]

What temperature are you shooting for? What's the size of the main hot water pipe?

I wonder if there's a mega sized tempering valve available that could be installed at the main hot water side.

 

[maytagmark]

A couple of thoughts, You could split the water coming into the hot water valve of the machine with a y spliter and one one the cold water faucet, that way you could adjust the amount of cold water mixed with the hot. or you could change some wiring on the washer temp. control switch that would select a warm wash either in the warm or hot position,then you could adjust the water valves on the wall to the desired temps.

 

[alr2903]

I think maytagmark has the least expensive idea. If we consider plumbing and special valves, it might be cheaper to buy a newer coin op with ATC if available. i despise this feature on a domestic Kenmore machine it runs hot, cold, hot cold, Not the blended dumbed down hot you would expect. alr2903

 

[toggleswitch]

.
Get a stainless-steel "washer" (metal coin with a hole in it) and stick it somehwere bewteen the washing machine's "hot" hose and the water valve. Adjust the size of the hole as needed.

Voila! Restricted hot flow!

How about dedicating a few machines to/with "cold" only [think plumbing "Y" hose"] call it the "green center" and charge less for those machines.

...And just to be "cutting-edge" put up a small sign that says:

"NOTE: Continued use of cold water only will not dissolve body oils and may not produce desired results!"

 

[foraloysius]

Machines that are hooked to cold only? Eek, you don't want that! Those machines will grow mold very soon!

I would increase the coin cost, after all tenants should know what real costs are behind that coin.

 

[combo52]

REDUCING HOT WATER TEMPS

There are thermostatic tempering valves that can be installed behind the washers in the supply hoses or plumbing. I would temper the hot down to a maximum of 100F for TL washers and 120F for FL washers this will still give great cleaning for people who care enought to use the hot setting on the washer.This will also reduce the warm temps when this hot temp mixes with cold water on the warm setting. Be sure that the washers are all set for cold only rinses most coin-ops can easily be set this way as there is absolutely no reason for a warm rinse.