When I had a new washer installed they reversed the hot and cold
hoses-- even though in my house like in most houses the cold was on
the right.

I think it's entirely possible that for years nobody noticed.

Switch 'em and see. Much more likely that they're switched than that
something's broken in the machine to cause it to draw from the wrong
one on each cycle.

Shaun Eli
http://www.BrainChampagne.com
Brain Champagne: Clever Comedy for Smart Minds (sm)