I received my water bill ecently and was shocked to see the amount owed. I checked all obvious culprits and ended up at the washing machine. I have been monitoring the gallons used at the meter and have recorded between 50 and 60 gallons per cycle. Hardly a water saver. I have replaced the diverter valve to no avail. Ran diagnostics program and no faults. I don't know what to do, it would be cheaper for me to replace this machine than continue to run it this way. Any help would be appreciated.

Chris, July 2009

Thank you for the help.

Chris, August 2009

The machine only recirculates the first few litres of water while it mixes the detergent. It then fills the bowl to the selected level. After the short fill at beginning, the machine will rotate the bowl & the drain pump will run to pump the water up into the bowl via the recirculating hose. No water should be escaping out of the drain hose in to the sink waste at this time. If it is then the diverter valve is either partially obstructed & needs to be removed & cleaned out or faulty & should be replaced. If it is working ok & drain hose is dry then Read the user book on setting rinse options for saving water. You don't need to check voltage to diverter. It is either working or not. These diverter solenoids have been known to blow the control boards on many occasion so I would not recommend you test that way. If after all that you are still sure that the machine should be using less, then I suggest that you ask F&P to send someone out to set up & check everything.

Lincoln Appliance NZ, August 2009

I have done a lot of research including corresponence with FP, and have determined that this machine should use between 22 and 27 gallons per load, hence the "Ecosmart" label. What I am looking for is some suggestions, maybe like how to test that the voltage output from the control board to the diverter valve. It appears to me that the machine is not recirculating the water, which would mean it continually is filling from the water inlets. Thanks.

Chris, August 2009

Not sure exactly what help you are looking for. If that is the amount it uses per wash cycle then there is nothing you can do except wash smaller loads. Your user manual should say what amount of water it uses but if not or you don't have one I suggest you contact F&P customer care service and discuss the problem with them and ask if that water useage is correct.

Lincoln Appliance NZ, August 2009