Washing Machine

Abstract

A washing machine which is designed for preparing hot water, having a water tank connected to an external water supply, and having a control and communication unit for controlling a process for preparing hot water and for communicating with an external unit, wherein the external unit is designed for providing information regarding energy costs for operating the washing machine, and the control and communication unit is designed such that it is possible to activate the process for preparing hot water in the water tank as a function of the information provided by the external unit.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A washing machine comprising:
 a water tank adapted for preparation of hot water; the water tank being connected to an external water supply;   a control and communication unit adapted to control a process of preparing hot water in the water tank; the control and communication unit adapted to communicate with an external unit which is enabled to provide information about energy costs for the preparation of the hot water for the washing machine; the control and communication unit being configured such that the process of preparing hot water in the water tank may be activated as a function of information provided by the external unit.   
   
   
       15 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the control and communication unit is configured such that the process of preparing hot water may be activated independently of a washing process. 
   
   
       16 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the control and communication unit is configured such that the process of preparing hot water may be activated when the energy costs for the preparation of the hot water for the washing machine are substantially the lowest during the day. 
   
   
       17 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the control and communication unit is configured for communication over the Internet. 
   
   
       18 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the control and communication unit is programmable. 
   
   
       19 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the control and communication unit is programmed to obtain energy for heating up a maximum volume of water needed for a washing process. 
   
   
       20 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the control and communication unit is programmed to obtain energy for heating up a volume of water needed by a selected washing process and an existing wash load. 
   
   
       21 . The washing machine as claimed in  14 , wherein an energy cost threshold value is stored in the control and communication unit, whereby the process of heating up water is activated only if the energy costs obtainable from the external unit are less than or equal to the energy cost threshold value. 
   
   
       22 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the control and communication unit is configured for wireless communication with the external unit. 
   
   
       23 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the control and communication unit is configured for wired communication with the external unit. 
   
   
       24 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the water tank includes a heating device. 
   
   
       25 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the water tank includes a temperature regulation device. 
   
   
       26 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the water tank is thermally-insulated. 
   
   
       25 . The washing machine as claimed in  claim 14  further including a pump system and a drum; the pump system being configured for returning water from the drum into the water tank during a washing process.