It may be time to check if your washing machine is heating up properly if your laundry doesn’t seem as clean as it should or if the water doesn’t seem warm enough when it comes out of the machine. To guarantee that your clothes are washed at the proper temperature, your machine’s heating element is essential.
It is not necessary to be a technician to look into a problem if you have any suspicions. You can check if your washing machine is heating up properly with a few easy steps. You might be able to save money on expensive repairs or replacements by doing this yourself.
This guide will assist you in recognizing the warning indicators of a malfunctioning heating element and offer simple steps to verify whether the water in your washing machine is heated to the proper temperature.
There are easy ways to find out if the water in your washing machine is heated correctly. The glass door and the laundry inside should feel warm to the touch, so you can start by feeling them. If you’re unsure whether your machine is heating up properly, you can check by taking a temperature reading of the water during a wash cycle with a thermometer. This brief inspection can assist in locating possible problems and guarantee that your device is operating properly.
- Heats or does not heat: methods of determination
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Heats or does not heat: methods of determination
There are multiple methods used to check the operation of the washing machine heater. In this instance, a timer and a free hand will suffice to complete the task; opening the case and searching for numerous tools is not necessary. Here’s the simplest method for testing the heating element:
- Load a small amount of laundry into the drum so as not to wash empty;
- Select the "Cotton" mode or another program with a set temperature of 60-90 degrees;
- Press the "Start" button;
- Wait 15-20 minutes;
- Put your palm against the glass of the hatch door.
These days’ machines are capable of independently identifying malfunctions in the system and displaying the relevant error (H1, H2, HE, HC, E5, E6).
The water has been heated by the heating element if your hand feels warm. However, a frozen door does not always mean that there are issues with the heater. Given that the machine has already entered a rinse mode and is drawing cold water from the water supply, it is likely that the timer was set incorrectly. It is preferable to retake the test and give yourself enough time to touch it while it is being washed. The heating element can be tested using different techniques.
- Touch the top cover of the housing, which also noticeably heats up after 15-20 minutes after washing at 60 degrees. Suitable for both front and vertical machines. This is especially relevant in the latest machines, since the first method does not work due to the missing glass door.
- Touch the drain hose while draining the waste water. Here you will have to be patient and wait to accurately determine the moment of draining. Then all that remains is to take the hose in your hand and feel whether its walls have heated up. There is also a more indicative alternative: loosen the clamp on the drain pipe, drain the water into the bathtub or sink and measure its temperature.
- Pay attention to the electric meter. After 7-10 minutes after the launch of the cycle, the washer will begin to consume energy intensively due to the inclusion in the work of the heater, as indicated by the flashing light on the counter. The main thing is to turn off all other household electrical appliances during the test to eliminate “interference”.
There is no method on this list that promises a perfect outcome. The experiment ought to be carried out at least three times. Plaque and scale buildup frequently causes the heating element to "act up," which causes spikes in the temperature of the water. Warm waste liquid—that is, waste that hasn’t been heated to between 50 and 90 degrees—is regarded as an anomaly. The heating element needs to be changed or cleaned if something similar is observed.
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You will need to "ring" the heating element with a multimeter if you are unsure about its functionality. Finding the device inside the machine is the first step. Its location is primarily determined by the manufacturer’s brand; for instance, models from Bosch and Siemens have it in the front, while models from Indesit and Ariston have it at the back.
You can expedite the search if you have the factory schematic for connecting the washing machine’s heater in hand.
If no instructions are provided, we search for the heater on our own:
- inspect the back wall of the machine. Often a large panel indicates that there is a heating element behind it;
- put the case on its side or tilt it back to look into the bottom and try to find the heating element near the washing tank;
- remove the back cover and carefully inspect the space near the tank;
- take a flashlight, shine light through the drum from the inside and try to determine the location of the heater by eye.
The heating element is always in the washing tank, which makes the task easier. All you have to do is indicate where it is. The device can be used to "ring" the heater without having to be removed. We’ll explain how precisely below.
| Step | What to Do |
| 1 | Start a washing cycle with hot water (60°C or higher). |
| 2 | Wait 10-15 minutes after the cycle begins. |
| 3 | Carefully touch the door or glass to check for warmth. |
| 4 | If warm, the machine is heating up properly. |
| 5 | If not warm, the heater may not be working correctly. |
To achieve the best cleaning results, make sure your washing machine heats up correctly. You can quickly ascertain whether the machine is operating as it should by following a few easy steps, such as using a thermometer or feeling the door’s temperature during a cycle.
If the water isn’t warming up, there may be a problem with the thermostat or heating element. By taking care of this early on, you can avoid more serious issues and make sure your clothes are being washed correctly.
Maintaining the efficiency and longevity of your washing machine can be achieved by routinely checking its performance. In the long run, keeping an eye on possible problems will save you money, time, and frustration.
