Energy Efficient Commercial Washers: Cutting Utility Costs at Your Laundromat
Water and energy are among the largest recurring costs in running a laundromat, and they scale directly with turns per day. Nearly half of laundromat owners cite high utility costs as their single biggest business problem, according to industry survey data from the Coin Laundry Association. A more efficient washer does not just save money on paper. Across dozens of machines running multiple cycles daily, it compounds into a real, measurable difference.
Why water usage per cycle matters so much
A laundromat running at a strong 4.5 to 6 turns per day per machine, across 60 to 80 machines, is running hundreds of wash cycles every day. Even a modest reduction in water usage per cycle multiplies into significant monthly savings once you scale it across a full floor of machines. Laundromat water bills commonly range from $1,000 to $5,000 per month across all machines, which gives a sense of how much is riding on per-cycle efficiency.
What ENERGY STAR certification actually means
According to ENERGY STAR, commercial clothes washers that earn the certification are on average about 9 percent more energy efficient and use roughly 45 percent less water than standard models. Do not assume all commercial washers perform similarly. Ask your distributor for specific water usage and energy consumption figures per cycle, and compare them directly against your current machines rather than relying on general brand reputation.
Modern extraction rates reduce dryer costs too
Newer commercial washers often extract more water during the spin cycle than older models, which means less moisture for the dryer to remove. This reduces dryer run time and gas or electric usage per load, creating a second layer of savings beyond the washer’s own water and energy consumption.
Calculating payback period
The upfront cost of more efficient equipment should be weighed against the monthly utility savings it produces. For many laundromats running strong turns per day, the payback period on efficient equipment upgrades can be shorter than owners initially expect, particularly in markets with higher water and energy rates like much of the NY, NJ, and CT area.
Efficiency as a customer-facing advantage too
Faster cycle times from modern equipment can also mean more turns per day are physically possible within your operating hours, which is a revenue benefit layered on top of the direct utility cost savings.
Frequently asked questions
Do energy efficient washers actually save laundromat owners money?
Yes, particularly at scale. ENERGY STAR certified commercial washers use about 45 percent less water and are roughly 9 percent more energy efficient than standard models, which compounds significantly across dozens of machines running multiple daily cycles.
How does washer extraction rate affect dryer costs?
Higher extraction rates during the spin cycle remove more moisture before the load reaches the dryer, reducing dryer run time and the energy or gas needed to finish drying.
How do I compare efficiency between different commercial washer brands?
Ask your distributor for specific water usage and energy consumption figures per cycle for each model, and look for ENERGY STAR certification as a baseline rather than relying on brand reputation alone.
What is a reasonable payback period for upgrading to more efficient washers?
This varies by local utility rates and turns per day, but many laundromats running strong utilization see the payback period on efficient upgrades come faster than initially expected, especially in higher utility cost markets.
Can more efficient equipment increase revenue, not just reduce costs?
Yes. Faster cycle times from modern equipment can allow more turns per day within the same operating hours, adding a revenue benefit alongside the direct utility savings.