Washing machine with a water tank

Quite recently, in a house without plumbing, there was nothing to dream of buying an automatic washing machine. Today there is a novelty in the stores - universal washing machines with a built-in water tank, which replaces the plumbing system. At the same time, they retain the familiar functions of automatic machines. Quality washing, economical power consumption, leak protection and delayed start function make washing a pleasant and unburdensome task.

After connecting the universal machine to the electric network, it is loaded with laundry and added detergent. Then fill the tank. The machine itself will pour water into the drum. In the rest, the functioning of washing machines of this type repeats the work of standard automatic machines.

• Machines with a water tank are really economical: their energy efficiency class is defined as A++.
• A wide choice of washing programs is not inferior to the service of our usual automatic machines: in a number of models, the number of available modes can exceed two dozen.
• Depending on the degree of soiling of laundry, loading level and completeness of the reserve tank, the machine itself determines the water flow rate required for a particular washing cycle.

A significant disadvantage is the large size of the equipment, especially if the tank is attached to the side. It is also inconvenient that you need to constantly monitor the water level in the tank, filling it as needed. Be prepared for the fact that even if you establish a water supply, to connect such a device to the water supply directly, removing the tank from it, will not work. Washing will still start with filling the tank with water.

More and more people prefer to spend their free time out of town. For a large family living for weeks at the cottage, a washing machine with a water tank will be a real salvation. It eliminates the need to carry bales of dirty laundry in the city or, washing by hand, rinse for hours in cold water. The only thing that can cause inconvenience is the size of the washing equipment.

The water tank is sold with the machine. It is attached to its side or rear wall. Rear placement, in which the shape of the tank repeats the outlines of the body, is characteristic of narrow models. This makes the bulky tank less visible. Full-size machines have a tank attached to the side.

Such tank is made of plastic or stainless steel. Plastic lightens the weight of the design and dampens vibration, and steel, while costing more, but serves an order of magnitude longer.

As a rule, the water in the tank is filled manually. Some models of washing machines are equipped with a pump. In this case, water is supplied to the machine from a well or other source.

Washing machines with a water tank are represented by both narrow and full-size models.

They are also divided into:

• washing machines equipped with a fill valve;
• Washing machines without inlet valve.

The latter device works on the principle of a faucet. If it is possible to connect the universal machine to any source of water, the inlet valve will adjust the water supply to the tank automatically.

Before starting the washing cycle, it is necessary to fill the tank, from which the water will be poured into the drum. After connecting the universal machine to the electric network, load the laundry and powder into it. Select the desired program. The rest is a matter of technology. You will only have to take out and hang up the clean laundry.

What features should I look for when choosing one?

When choosing a universal washing machine, pay attention to the following features:

• Dimensions. Depending on the dimensions of your bathroom, you can choose a technique of the right size. It comes in both narrow and full-size versions. When choosing and consider the volume of the tank, which in different modifications varies from 50 to 100 liters. This amount of water is enough on average for 2-3 washes.
• Efficiency is determined by the power consumption class of equipment. The best indicators have the equipment of class A. Also pay attention to the parameters of annual water consumption; at economical consumption, this figure will be 9.2 - 9.3 thousand liters.
• Fill valve. This part prevents excessive filling of the tank. The valve, which functions at a pressure of 0.1-10 bar, is not provided in all washing machines of this type.
• Loading. Consider this indicator depending on your needs. Some models are able to wash up to 7 kg of laundry at a time.
• Spin speed. In a number of models, this characteristic can be adjusted. Some spin rate reaches 1000 rpm.
• Pay attention to the number of programs and the ability to create your own washing programs.

Popular among Russian buyers are machines - universal brands Bosch and Gorenje. Learn more about the last brand in the following video.

Positive reviews about machines equipped with a water tank, come not only from cottagers and villagers, in whose houses there is no water supply. This washing equipment is also appreciated by city dwellers who live in high-rise buildings and suffer from a small water head, which is not enough for the work of an ordinary automatic machine.

It is not difficult to connect this type of washing equipment yourself.

• Read the instructions. There you will find a description of the assembly and installation of the drain hose. It is fixed to the tank on the outside, and then connect to the drainage pipe. In this case, the end of the pipe is placed below the upper edge of the drain hose. If there is no sewage system in the house, connect the drain pipe to an ordinary garden hose and take the drain to the outside.
• On the back of the machine, find the recesses with the transport screws attached to them. Replace them with the fixing screws supplied with the machine. On the free end of the connection pipe (it is attached to the tank) put the supply pipe on, securing the connection with a clamp. Now attach the water tank to the body of the washing machine with clamps.
• Fill valve (if your machine has one) is installed on the tank in an upright position. A special hose is attached to it, which is brought to the water source. Then a pipe designed for drainage is mounted.
• The main condition for the correct installation of the universal machine is the presence of a level area. After installing the machine in a suitable place, check with a construction level to see if there are any invisible to the eye deviations. Adjust the position of the washing machine by changing the length of the rotating legs. Now plug the cord of the machine into the socket and run a test wash (without laundry).

• During the test run, carefully check that the tank is not leaking and that the connections are tight.
• Fill the tank to the maximum level. If there is not enough water for washing, the machine will beep.
• If it is found that the tank is empty, fill it and press "Start" again. Remember, the case of equipment failure due to lack of water is not covered by the warranty.

An alternative option for washing at the cottage or in a private home without a water supply is a washing machine of the activator type.

Water is poured into such a machine manually. Technics of this type are equipped with a timer that turns it off after a given time interval. A number of models have a centrifuge, which allows you to thoroughly wring the washed laundry.

The laundry in the activator machines is loaded vertically. There is a peculiar propeller at the bottom of the washing tank. Its purpose is to create a flow that dissolves the detergent and takes the loaded laundry with it. At the end of the process, the soapy water is pumped out through the drain hose, and then the tank is filled again to start the rinse.

The main role in choosing a machine of the activator type is the low cost of this technical means: it is 2-3 times cheaper than automatic equipment. The washing process in such a machine is regulated by the user and takes much less time, and the laundry in the tank is allowed to add directly during the operation of the washing equipment.