Washers have various types of temperature management systems. The water temperature is usually not a concern or issue. However, should you think there is a concern with the water temperature entering your Washer, there are several things you can check.
Water Supply
If you experience issues with the water temperature in your Washer, please check the following.
Check to ensure both the hot and cold water supply valves are turned on.
Check to ensure the hot and cold water hose connections were not reversed when the hoses were connected onto the Washer. The hose connections on the back of the Washer are marked with letters "H" for HOT and "C" for COLD. The following videos provide information about installing the water hoses on a Washer.
Video - Installation of Hot and Cold Inlet Hoses for Washers
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Video - Front Load Washer Hot/Cold Inlet Hoses
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Proper Temperature
Check to ensure the proper temperature setting was selected.
Check the household water heater to make sure it is delivering water at 90 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
The HOT wash water temperature is the temperature of the house hot water supply when it reaches the Washer. For 2015 models and after, please see our Washer - Hot Water Not Working or Not Hot Enough article.
The WARM wash water temperature is a mix of hot and cold water coming into the Washer and can change depending on the incoming water temperatures supplied to the Washer. Note: Starting with 1995 and newer Washer models, the warm water temperature is slightly lower than on previous models. This is due to a different mix of hot and cold water. This was done to meet Federal government energy guidelines. The biggest energy cost when using a clothes Washer is the cost of heating the water, so slight changes reducing the amount of hot water used result in energy savings without reducing wash performance.
The COLD wash water temperature depends on the incoming water supply temperature and can vary from near freezing in some areas in the Winter to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the Summer. The effectiveness of detergent is seriously diminished in extremely low water temperatures (below 60 degrees Fahrenheit / 15.6 degrees Centigrade). During the Winter, incoming cold water temperatures are lower, so the resulting warm water temperatures are lower as well.
Water Valves
Check the water valve screen for a clog. One half of the water valve assembly can fail and only hot or cold water will come into the Washer. Select the cold or hot temperature and if one or the other does not work the valve screen may be clogged. For information on cleaning the water valve screen, please see our Washer - Slow Water Fill article.
Should the water valve screens both be clear and you are experiencing this issue, the water valve assembly on the Washer may need to be replaced.
Note: On models that have a temperature sensor, you might hear the water valves automatically turn on and off while the temperature is being adjusted.
Appliance Support
If the suggestions above do not take care of the situation, contact service. For service, please schedule a repair appointment with GE Appliances Factory Service.