Dryers are evil. Well, not quite, but they account for nearly 70 percent of all energy consumption in the laundry. You should do all you can to minimize the amount of time your towels and linens spend in them—not only to reduce energy consumption but to also prolong towel and linen life (and the life of duvets, robes, etc). Makers of washer-extractors agree. In conducting research for an article on washer-extractors (click here for article) I learned just how much suppliers have done to reduce required drying time—primarily through advanced controls technology and stronger mechanical spin power (G-force). Suppliers have also done a great job reducing water and chemical requirements. The end result for property owners: the option of having a more efficient, less costly laundry operation that requires less labor to manage.
When was the last time you took a close look at the efficiency of your laundry? The equipment you have? Notice any leaks? Are your employees using machines properly? Do you rely too much on your chemical supplier to control the volume of chemicals used? Take the time to sit down with your local equipment and chemical suppliers to explore your options. What can you do to run a better, greener, more profitable laundry operation? Why not consider an ozone system to further reduce energy and chemical costs? Why not transition to environmentally safe detergents?
As I have learned over and over in my time with Green Lodging News, buying equipment just because it is inexpensive is not always the best option. The “total cost of ownership” is what matters most, as one vendor emphasized to me. Of course you should be concerned about the time needed to recover your investment but also factor in the value in partnering with a supplier who is going to be around for the long term—one who, as a partner, will provide the expertise and guidance you need. Does your supplier understand the concept of sustainability as it applies to a laundry operation? If not, choose another supplier.
Green Lodging News now has more than 200 articles that mention the word “laundry” in its Kitchen & Laundry section. When studying ways to run a more environmentally responsible laundry operation, be sure to check out those articles. Compared with even two years ago, you need to think differently about your entire laundry operation—from the towels and linens that you purchase and what they are made of, to the equipment and chemicals you use to keep them clean and fresh for your guests and staff.
Your thoughts? I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
GLN Adds Continental Girbau Case Study to Website
Green Lodging News has just added a new case study to its website. The case study focuses on the LEED-certified Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg’s new laundry operations that include two Continental Girbau 55-pound capacity soft-mount washer-extractors, each with an ozone system, and three Continental Girbau 75-pound capacity high-efficiency drying tumblers. Jeff Large of Laundry Systems of Tennessee worked closely with the Hilton Garden Inn to design the on-premise laundry. Over the next five years, the new equipment is expected to save more than $60,000.
The soft-mount washers play a critical role when it comes to conserving water, energy and natural gas. When compared with hard-mount washers, which reach extract speeds of 75 to 200 G-force, the Continental soft-mount machines achieve 380 G-force extract speeds, and thus, remove considerably more water per load. As a result, dry time is decreased by up to 30 percent, according to Large. Laundry productivity is improved and gas consumption and dryer wear-and-tear are dramatically reduced.
To read the complete case study, click here.
Massachusetts Green Hospitality Conference Reports
On June 9, 2009, the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) hosted a conference in Marlborough, Mass., on water conservation and other greening opportunities for the hospitality industry. The conference, “Saving Money Through Greening Hospitality: Reducing
Costs and Attracting Customers Through Water and Energy Conservation, Waste Reduction, and Toxics Use Reduction,” featured speakers from the hospitality industry, experts in water conservation, and government officials. To review the proceedings from that event, click here.
Advertising Opportunities in 2010
There are still some excellent Green Lodging News advertising opportunities available for 2010, including ad spots on the website and in the weekly e-newsletter. There are also many Green Green Supplier Spotlight dates available throughout the year. If your company has a product or products it would like to feature in Green Lodging News in 2010, be sure to contact me at (440) 243-2055, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. The 2010 media kit is available by request or by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Green Lodging News Blog & Twitter
Be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. The address for the blog is http://greenlodgingnews.blogspot.com. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also now on Twitter. To follow my postings, go to http://twitter.com/greenlodging. Be sure to add Green Lodging News to those tweets that you follow. Green Lodging News now has 341 Twitter followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
