Cost of Ownership: The Skinny on Maintaining Your Commercial Washing Machines & Commercial Dryers

As the owner and operator of a Laundromat, you understand that the success of your business is based on the quality and effectiveness of your equipment. People aren't going to come to your establishment if all the washers are broken and the coin dispensers are out of change, right?

That's why you need to do everything you can to ensure that your laundry equipment is in tip-top shape. You need to make sure that your commercial washing machines and commercial dryers are efficient on water, electricity and gas, not to mention that everything's working properly. Let’s look at some ways to lower the cost and increase efficiency at your Laundromat business.

Commercial Washing Machines

Water-efficient washers can provide multiple cost-saving benefits for your Laundromat. Not only will you save on water consumption, but you'll also cut down your sewer and hot water costs. New water-efficient commercial washing machines may seem like a financial burden in the short term, but in the long run, they may end up saving you a significant amount of money.

Newer commercial washing machines have another big advantage: their motors are more efficient. The newer motors increase the speed of the washing machine more slowly, decreasing the amount of wear and tear on the washer itself. This saves both the washer's components and the amount of energy the machine uses, making the washer even more cost-effective.

The last way to ensure the efficiency of your commercial washing machines is to thoroughly maintain and inspect the washers' components. Whether you're applying preventative maintenance to the bearing system or maintaining the machine's rubber and plastic parts, be sure to check your machines regularly. Even with a warranty, repairs will cost you more if they're based on poor care instead of preventative measures. Make sure that there are no damaged, worn, or leaking parts, and take action immediately if anything isn't running as it should.

Commercial Dryers

Newer commercial dryers are far more efficient in terms of the amount of gas they consume. Newer dryers show a large reduction in BTUs (British Thermal Units) thanks to the insulation of the dryer and other improved technologies. A commercial Laundromat can easily save a buck or two by installing newer, more efficient dryers.

Since the purpose of commercial dryers is to circulate hot air, the dryer itself needs to be airtight so that hot air doesn't leak out. The more worn out its parts get, the more this is bound to happen. Rubber seals and gaskets should be checked regularly to ensure that there are no air leaks, as well as the equipment's insulation. This will keep your commercial dryers at maximum efficiency.

One thing that can greatly affect your dryer's efficiency is the ventilation system. After a while, your Laundromat dryer's ventilation system can get clogged with lint, which can affect the thermostat. This, in turn, will make your commercial dryers less effective and could potentially start a dryer fire. To prevent this, clean your dryer vents regularly to maximize the dryer's airflow.

One more way to keep your commercial dryers at maximum efficiency is to perform preventative maintenance on them regularly. Check your rubber components, gaskets, belts, and seals, and be sure to read your maintenance guides. Again, replacing the smaller parts of your dryer will be inexpensive; having to replace the whole things because you neglected it will cost you.

There are a few last things you can do to make sure that your commercial Laundromat equipment doesn't cost you an arm and a leg. Make sure that all your equipment is covered under a service plan. Get a long-term parts warranty for all your equipment, especially since your equipment is guaranteed to endure a lot of wear and tear from extensive usage. Lastly, invest in modern, reliable commercial washing machines and commercial dryers - not only because it's more efficient, but because it will bring in reliable, return customers.

If you're looking to start up your own commercial Laundromat, or perhaps just spruce up the one you've got, think seriously about your equipment and what it's really costing you. In the long run, it will be in your best interest as a commercial laundry business to invest in your equipment. This will keep everything running smoothly and keep customers coming through the door.