Creating an energy-efficient laundry room isn't just good for the environmentโit can also help reduce operating costs. For property managers and apartment landlords, keeping energy expenses low while offering residents functional laundry spaces is a winning combination.
From choosing efficient appliances to encouraging smarter practices, hereโs how you can optimize your laundry facilities to be both energy-saving and effective.
Upgrade To High-Efficiency Washing Machines
Washing machines are the heart of the laundry room, and investing in high-efficiency models makes a big difference. These machines use significantly less water and energy compared to standard models.
By upgrading to Energy Star-certified washers, you could save significantly on energy and water utilities. Residents will appreciate the faster wash cycles and better cleaning performance, while property managers will see a cut in utility costs.
Improve Dryer Efficiency
Cleaning dryer lint traps regularly helps the machines run effectively, reducing drying times and energy consumption. You should also encourage residents to use dryer settings with built-in moisture sensors. These sensors automatically stop the machine when the clothes are dry, minimizing the extra energy often wasted on over-drying.
Brighten the Room With LED Lighting
A small but impactful change is upgrading old light bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs. LED lights use a quarter of the energy of incandescent bulbs and last nearly twenty-five times longer. Better lighting not only reduces electricity bills but also makes the space more inviting and safer for residents.
Insulate Pipes To Save on Water Heating
Laundry rooms rely on hot water for effective cleaning. By insulating hot water pipes, you can significantly reduce heat loss, allowing the water heater to work less. This simple improvement keeps energy use in check while ensuring that hot water flows efficiently throughout the laundry process.
Encourage Residents To Wash Full Loads
Running washing machines for partial loads is a surefire way to waste water and energy. Educate residents on the importance of washing full loads to minimize the number of wash cycles they use.
However, overloading machines also wastes energy while cleaning clothes less effectively. Plus, it can lead to increased costs if tenants must use multiple drying cycles or rewash the load. Add signage or notices in the laundry room to remind users about proper load sizes.
Promote Off-Peak Usage Hours
Suggest that residents do their laundry during off-peak energy hours to help ease the strain on the power grid and reduce electricity costs. Many modern laundry room payment systems allow you to adjust pricing as needed. That means you can offer reduced rates during non-peak hours, which will incentivize residents to take advantage of this cost-saving tip.
Creating an energy-efficient laundry room benefits both property managers and residents by reducing costs and improving functionality. Start implementing these changes today, and see the impact on energy savings and tenant satisfaction.
