Dishwashers use hot water to perfect cleaning and eliminate all germs in dishes.
The cleaning property of hot water is far much better than that of cold water.
If your water heater is broken you are worried about your appliance’s efficiency and ability to do work.
So, Will The Dishwasher Work If The Hot Water Heater Is Broken?
Yes. Your dishwasher will still work perfectly fine without hot water. Most modern dishwashers are designed with circular heating elements that are fitted at their bottoms. Such heating elements have a unique ability to heat cold water by themselves. Even if this part fails to work, you will still have efficient results with cold water.
In this article, we explain why you can still get credible results with cold water. We have also added more dishwasher operation and cleaning ideas and much more.
Can You Operate A Dishwasher With Cold Water?
There is no problem with using cold water to run a dishwasher. The only concern may be their performance efficiency.
Hot water proves a lot superior in cleaning dishes.
They instantly kill germs and bacteria. So you expect cold water to give you less efficient results as compared to hot water.
So rest assured your dishwasher will not stop working or break down if you use cold water to clean your dirty dishes. You should never be worried about the integrity of the machine’s structure.
What Can Happen If You Use Extremely Cold Water On Your Dishwasher?
By default, dishwashers are designed with the ability to heat cold water by themselves.
So if you use cold water in it, the machine will attempt to heat the water by itself. But then, it means your machine will use more energy.
An overworked machine consumes more energy and that means an increase in electricity bills.
Additionally, an overworking machine can easily wear down with time.
This may compromise the machine’s durability.
Therefore, if your home is situated in a zone with freezing temperatures, it is highly advisable to manually connect the dishwasher with a hot water source.
Can A Dishwasher Use A Lot Of Hot Water?
On average, a dishwasher uses about 7 -9 gallons of water in a cycle. About 3 gallons of this water is hot. It all depends on the size of the dishwasher which varies from one machine to another.
Modern models prove more efficient.
They use less electricity, water.
The problem with them may be the acquisition costs.
Of all the 8 gallons of water, half of it is heated during the cleaning cycles.
Dishwashers come with user manuals. You should away refer to this when a problem comes up.
These manuals also indicate the amount of water the machine uses, electricity ratings, and other features of the machine.
It takes about 1000 BTUs to heat 3 gallons of water. It is a huge task for the dishwasher. The more heating a machine requires, the more electricity it uses. Overall, you will have to dig your pocket deeper to pay for such bills.
It is therefore important to check out a suitable dishwasher before making a purchase.
This is especially true if you have any concerns about energy consumption and water savings.
You can opt for modern and advanced models that are water and energy-efficient.
Acquisition costs can be very expensive but they will save you a lot of cash in the long run.
Can You Use Direct Hot Water Input In A Dishwasher?
If your dishwasher’s water heater has broken down, you might be considering putting in hot water directly.
Well, some dishwashers today are designed to allow you to put direct hot water in their slots.
Connecting a hot water system in your home may require additional renovations.
These adjustments are your plumping and pipework.
You need to get a professional to execute this task with precision.
You want to avoid water leaks at all costs.
So, if you have not perfected your DIY skills, it is better to task a professional with the assignment.
Can You Add Hot Water Manually Into The Dishwasher?
If you have an efficient hot water system in your home, you might be thinking of saving your energy by adding hot water directly into the dishwasher.
In this case, it is a good idea to buy a dishwasher without a built-in water heating element.
Such dishwashers without water heating elements are way too cheap.
Coupled with the fact that you incur no electricity bills, it seems like it is a good deal.
Your user manual should guide you on all the steps from installation to use.
You should, however, be cautious with the temperatures of water. You should stick to the prescribed temperature on the user manual. Most dishwashers recommend a maximum of 120F.
Temperatures beyond this not only damage the machine but also harm your dishes.
Many modern brands offer free installation.
Adding to the instructions in the user’s manual, you can have it installed and running under proper care.
Two Important Dishwasher Maintenance Tips
1. Thorough Cleaning
You should keep the dishwasher clean.
While it helps to keep the machine in ambient conditions, it also guarantees durability.
Residues can accumulate inside the dishwasher and compromise its efficiency. You should scrub the inside of the machine to rid it of such dirt.
Cleaning the machine also removes limescale developments that can block the pipework.
Limescale usually builds up due to excess calcium in the water. It is a common problem in all washers. It should be checked.
Molds, bacteria, and mildew are also common problems associated with dirty dishwashers. Such elements can harm the machine and can also pose potential health threats.
Coldwater offers ideal conditions for such growth.
A hot water system often clears away any growths in the machine. So, if you resort to using cold water, you should be mindful of bacteria, molds, and mildew developments.
The outsides of the dishwasher can be cleaned with a sponge or a piece of cloth.
Cleaning the dishwasher as you would do on other appliances is a step ahead in maintaining pristine looks and conditions in the kitchen room.
2. Assess The Dishwasher For Leaks
Using cold water can overwork the dishwasher.
As such, there can be issues with the fixtures that need to be checked and corrected.
Joints to the pipes and other parts of the machine can easily get loose.
You should take note of such problems and provide solutions as soon as possible.
If you find out that a replacement is necessary, you should not hesitate to do it.
Dishwashers are the expensive home appliance that should be accorded a lot of attention. You want to ensure that it keeps working in proper conditions for years to come.
Final Words
Hot water maximizes the cleaning efficiency of dishwashers.
However, if your system’s water heater fails to work, you can still get credible washing results.
Persistent problems should be reported to the supplier.
Well, that applies only as long as the item’s warranty is active.
You can also get an expert to help you fix a problem.
We hope the ideas in this guide will help you conquer your fears while providing real-time solutions.
Related
References
https://whoatwherewhy.com/can-i-use-my-dishwasher-if-my-hot-water-heater-is-broken/
