[dudek]

In your experiences when it comes to wfp, what are the pros and cons for both?

I know sellsmen have their jargon to sell it hot but wanted to know from you experenced guys and gals?

[matt]

cold works well enough for most, so why spend the extra money ?? ? ?? ?

[TERRY AB]

I have been using a Cold WFP System for over 10 years and never had any problems.
The Advantages of a Hot Water System must rely on your type Work i.e. If you have very dirty windows (Commercial, Garages, Workshops etc) then obviously the heated water will clean better as there are only 4 things that effect the cleaning quality 1. Temperature 2. Chemicals 3. Abrasion and 4. Time if you dont use Chemicals and the water is only on the surface for a few seconds then the only remaining factors are the Abrasion (ie. Harder Brush) or the temperature of the Water. Its that simple.
Unless you have that kind of work where a hotter water would increase the cleaning effect (ie. Oil, greasy soiled windows) then there cannot be any advantage.
Change the other factors, 3.Abrasion (Scrub a bit longer) or 4. Time (let R/O Water penetrate the surface longer.
Terry

[dudek]

ok but what about the weather extremes, summer and winter surely the hot water has an added benefit otherwise they wouldnt have been created?

[niceandclean]

I have a hot water system! Its pretty good for the first cleans, but other than that i always just use cold!! Hot does work a little better on dried bird mess, but if you scrub a few more times using cold you get the same results!

[Dave Turley]

this last winter between november and march all of my windows were totally filthy and greasy with dirty gritty particles which were a real nightmare to scrub off. for 2 months i even attached a trad applicator to the rear of the brush as this scrubbed all the partcles off easily.

i do not want to have to go through this again, so i have decided to go hot for next winter

as i'm all for diy i'll probably be using a diesel water heater (eberspacher or similar) which are usually used as boat water heaters

they're not cheap at about £800 but i think it will be worth it

any thoughts would be much appreciated     

[Trevor Knight]

Have always used Cold.

In the winter just take precautions, keep your tank/pumps/poles/hoses insulated overnight and you won't go wrong.

I also have a pond anti frost heater which we drop into the water overnight, just to be safe.

When you got to the diesel heater set up Dave would be nice to know how you get on? £800 is not expensive when you compare it to the hot water systems out there!
Trev

[Dave Turley]

hi trevor, do you have any idea as to how the performance of a hot water system actually compares to a cold one?

or what temperature the "hot" systems tend to run at?

[Trevor Knight]

Dave,

I am not sure myself, I will take a look in my literature regarding temperatures etc...

Regarding the performance, I don't know having not used one, however, I can only think of it in the senario of using cold or hot water to wash up your dishes. I know we use detergent but it is easier with hot so I guess the same principles apply with window clenaing.

regards,

Trev

[EasyClean]

If you go the diesel heater way i.e. eberspacher or webasto just use caution. The heat coming out is approx 80C which is far too hot to use on glass. You need to circulate that heat through your WFP tank or a separate calorifier tank. The ideal heat for glass is between 25-40C max. I use the heat from the radiator circulated through a 75 litre calorifier tank which I use straight on PVC frames  for new cleans or circulate it back through the WFP tank for single glazed (wooden framed georgian, etc). It is definitely a lot quicker cleaning with warm/hot than cold water and a lot less scrubbing.

[Dave Turley]

thanks trevor, will await your reply

easyclean, you obviously know what you are talking about, and i'm very keen to learn whatever you could tell me about hot water systems, if you have the time.

i've just been looking at how a calorifier works, and they look really interesting.

i have a few questions if you don't mind....

how long does the water take to get up to temperature?

does your coolant run through the radiator and the calorifier, or just the calorifier?

is the problem with hotter water that it would crack the glass in cold weather?

how come you don't use the hot water on wooden frames/single glazing, is it because of spotting due to oxidised paintwork?

where did you get your calorifier from and where can i find out more about building a hot water system?

alot of questions i know, i appreciate your time if you can answer