Can laundromats “go green” to save money?

In recent years, there has been a significant push in many industries to reduce the use of energy, fuel, water, and so on. The laundromat business is no different, and now it seems a small but growing number of businesses across the country may be moving to embrace the various technologies that can help them achieve those ends.

The laundromat business effectively hasn’t changed that much in the last few decades, but where owners often find they can make a difference in standing out from the crowd is by trying to get a little creative, according to a report from the Jersey Journal. For instance, a “green” laundromat poised to open next month in Jersey City, New Jersey, might capture the public’s attention with new, state-of-the-art equipment that local competitors simply do not have.

“We have equipped our store with Electrolux 450 G-Force washers, which are the most energy-efficient machines in the world,” JC Eco Laundry owner Christopher Book told the newspaper. “Every single wash determines the actual weight of the load and adds precisely the right amount of water, significantly reducing water consumption and energy-use. Every new customer that comes in will get a tutorial from me on how to use our machines. We strive on having the cleanest laundromat in Jersey City and try to make every customer’s visit as pleasant as possible.”

Future plans
In addition to the super-efficient equipment in his location, Book also intends to start using solar power to provide some of his electricity, the report said. This, too, could end up being both an attractive feature for local residents – because how many laundromats run on solar? – and a cost-cutting measure that help keep the company’s bottom line as strong as possible.

The good news about going green for owners of independent laundromats and dry cleaners is that while the machines needed to do so are often more than a little expensive in comparison with normal washers and dryers, they often end up covering the difference – and then some – by reducing other expenditures. Doing a cost-benefit analysis could help entrepreneurs to determine whether this kind of move would be a wise one for their businesses in the long run. In addition, many states also incentivize the use of this kind of efficient equipment through tax credits and other perks to further offset the cost.