Thread Number: 83890  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
Anyone use ECO cycle on SQ series 8/9? 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 1082437   7/26/2020 at 07:59 (1,369 days old) by LeeLee (Canada)        

I’ve had the SQ series 8 for a couple years now. I’ve started using the eco cycle just to see how it work. I’ve always used the heavy duty standard setting.
Do you think the spray rinse is enough for rinsing clothing clean?

Between watering my garden, topping up pool and changing hot tub water we are going through loads of water around here. Just wondered if it’s worth entertaining the idea of using the eco setting to save water.

Thanks.




Post# 1082456 , Reply# 1   7/26/2020 at 10:55 (1,369 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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How many loads a week are you doing? With all things relative, unless you're doing 20-30 full loads of laundry a week, I think the watering of your garden, hot tub water, and topping off your swimming pool would use a heck of a lot more water and the laundry would be small potatoes in relative comparison.

Post# 1082463 , Reply# 2   7/26/2020 at 11:36 (1,369 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Normal-Eco Cycle On SQ TL Washers

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The majority of our customers use this cycle all or most of the time, only big down fall is the cold wash, so you may want to fill the wash cycle on HD and then reset to NE. and see if you like the results.

 

John L.
Post# 1082548 , Reply# 3   7/26/2020 at 21:15 (1,369 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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I have a 2017 9-Series and use the Normal/Eco cycle frequently. As John mentioned, fill it with warm or hot wash water using the Heavy Duty (or other) cycle. When agitation begins, power down the washer, then select the Normal Eco cycle. It’s an extra step, but I don’t particularly care to wash most loads in what amounts to cold water. If you generally wash in cold water, the extra step isn’t needed.

If you’re washing a full capacity, heavily soiled load with a large dose of detergent, you may not want to use Normal/Eco; otherwise I’ve found no problems with rinsing and it does save a lot of water. Almost as good as having a suds-saver.

Post# 1082588 , Reply# 4   7/27/2020 at 06:15 (1,368 days old) by PinkPower4 (USA)        
I use Normal “Eco” on my Maytag mvwp575gw frequently...

 I know this is a SQ thread but some of this may be helpful to you or to others who have a different washer.

My washer alternates between hot OR cold to fill the tub.

My plumbing had the old wheel turn-style knobs for the washer faucet outlets. I found it worthwhile to have them replaced with the new lever style. Then I added a brass Y (with NO levers) to the hot tap and tap cold. My Maytag washer is hooked up per instructions to one of the cold faucet outlets and one of the hot faucet outlets. I have a portable washer hooked up to the cold faucet outlet only. I have an extra washing machine hose hooked up to the extra tap hot faucet outlet. When not in use, I have a screw cap on it.

The Maytag has tap hot for the deep water cycles but adds cold to the Normal “hot” cycle to the point where it is barely warm at best. Unlike the SQ, the Normal “Eco” on this washer is also the ONLY smaller load size option.

For my Maytag, I have to start a Normal “Eco” cycle and then pause it. Turn off the hot water, unscrew the cap on the extra hose, turn hot water back on, add hot water as desired to the wash tub, turn off hot water, screw cap back on. turn hot water back on. Unpause washer. I added a waterproof piece of tape to mark the level of Normal fill. The washer will continue to fill if it is not at that level or will now start the wash cycle. If you cancel the cycle on this washer and start a new one, the tub will drain. [Note: If you use the Normal “Eco” cycle frequently, I think this would be a better option than unplugging and possibly messing up the computer board on that SQ.]

For the portable washer, I can just add the hot water before I ever turn it on. It won’t drain it out when I start a new cycle. [Not sure if this is the case for the SQ or not. Sounds like it is if one can cancel a cycle and then restart it with water already in the tub. If so, even better!]. If I have it connected to the sink, then I can control the temp that way. I use the sink sprayer hose to add more water to it to fill the tub 3/4 full. Otherwise, a large load only fill half the tub (what sense does that make?). I am fine with the rinses only being half a tub.

I find myself washing smaller loads now in the Maytag now. What I will probably do at some point is just connect a Y to the hot and cold faucet and to the cold inlet valve only and control the temp by adjusting the levers on the washer outlet box. The water temp on the washer is set to tap cold. I find warm works well for almost all the loads I do and I don’t worry about the energy costs for a warm spray rinse. For the occasional full tub or hot load, it would require more hands on as I would have to remember to adjust the levers again after the washer fills since I don’t want a hot rinse or even a full tub warm rinse (due to energy costs, which is why I don’t have it set that way now).

I am still trying to figure out the thermistor for this washer. It seems to come in play mostly for increasing the water temp to maintain a minimum wash temperature for any setting other than tap cold and to add cold water to the hot for the Normal “Eco” cycle. Relocating it to where it senses temperature works on in the Winter for me for the Normal “Eco” cycle so I can have a tap hot. During the summer, the incoming ground water is a higher temp than the threshold to get the hot water valve to even kick on. I also have my A/C set to around 80.

I have said this many times but these they need to go back to the drawing board on these energy guidelines. It is now it is taking more time, energy, chemicals, water, etc. to clean clothes. Also, these appliances are winding up in the landfills much sooner!

I have found that the spin dryer has made a noticeable difference on my electric bill as I have been able to use it for almost every load cutting drying time to 1/3 to 1/2 (I have an older dryer and prefer longer dry times to using higher heat for the load). Also, using a good ceiling fan and automatic circulations allows me to keep the A/C from kicking on as much.

Post# 1082707 , Reply# 5   7/27/2020 at 18:27 (1,368 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

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When I had my Speed Queen, I only used it to wash one or two light weight items...but that wasn't often.
Post# 1082815 , Reply# 6   7/28/2020 at 15:57 (1,367 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)        

I've not once had the courage to use Normal Eco to wash my own clothes, however others in the house have used it and it seems to do fine. My biggest gripe is the cold wash. 
Post# 1082962 , Reply# 7   7/29/2020 at 16:45 (1,366 days old) by ladd (Maryland)        

I have a Speed Queen TC5000 that was purchased early summer last year. This model also uses only a spray rinse for the rinse cycle when the ECO setting is selected.

However, I found that if I also select the Extra Rinse option, not only do I get the extra rinse but BOTH rinses are a fill-the-tub rinse, not the spray rinse.

I have no idea if this will work with your machine, but give it a try and let us know.


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