According to recent research that we conducted, considerable savings
could be realized from common unit laundry facilities. Based on
Multi-Housing Laundry Association data, standard efficiency common area
units use about 3,300 gallons of water per year, while in-unit washers
use about 11,800 gallons per year.
On top of this, a number of manufacturers are coming out with
high-efficiency coin-op washers (similar products are already available
for the residential market). In particular, Speed Queen and Maytag are
planning to introduce high efficiency washing machines this year.
Maytag's unit is slated for roll-out in July 1997. Their unit -- a
horizontal axis unit -- should save more than half the water and energy
of standard efficiency units, and its incremental cost is estimated at
$500 (more than standard efficiency machines).
Hope this helps,
Margaret Suozzo
-- Margaret Suozzo ph: 415-324-8006 ACEEE fax: 415-324-8506 1024-D Middle Avenue Menlo Park, CA 94025Visit our web page at http://crest.org/aceee _____
> > Could overall energy savings be expected to accrue from replacing > individual washer/dryer hookups in apartments with a seperate, centralized, > commercial coin-operated laundry facility? > > Subject housing is a low-income, assisted housing apartment complex of 12 > apartments (6 up and six down in each of 2 two story building) with > electric water heating. The central facility would also have electric water > heating. Solar is not an option. Apartments have good envelopes and new > heat pumps. > > Climate: 2928 heating degree days; 2011 cooling degree days. > > Washer/dryer coin costs: $1.75 load > > Electricity: $.10/kWh > > Potential impacts of centralized system considered thus far: > Would lower the air-conditioning requirements of the apartments. > Commercial washer/dryers will handle larger loads, but may cost more per > load to operate even if the initial cost of the washer and dryer are > included. > Washing/drying in the apartment can help heat an apartment with reclaimed > heat, but since the water heating and clothes drying was electric > resistence, these savings could be a wash (no pun intended) with a more > efficient heat pump. > > Ron Hughes > THIS WHOLE HOUSE > http:www.energyhome.com > P.O. Box 251416 > Little Rock, AR 72225 > 501.666.4377 biz > 501.666.8676 fax > > __________________________________________________________________ > This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by Oikos (www.oikos.com) > and Environmental Building News (www.ebuild.com). For instructions > send e-mail to greenbuilding-request@crest.org. > __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by Oikos (www.oikos.com) and Environmental Building News (www.ebuild.com). For instructions send e-mail to greenbuilding-request@crest.org. __________________________________________________________________