I have written a lot of articles about products, technologies and programs that are no-brainers from a return on investment (ROI) standpoint. Compact fluorescents, LED exit signs, low-flow toilets, aerators and showerheads, towel and linen reuse programs, and guestroom energy management systems are some of the ones that come to mind. Since launching Green Lodging News more than two years ago, I have written twice about ozone laundry systems. If you have to deal with a high volume of sheets, towels, rags and possibly even uniforms on a daily basis and have not yet considered ozone, you should—soon.
As detailed in the article currently appearing on the Green Lodging News website and in the newsletter this week, the payback time on an ozone laundry system can easily be less than a year for a property with as few as 100 rooms. The payback time can be much faster for higher-volume operations and in locations where costs for energy, chemicals and water are higher.
What ozone laundry systems do best is dramatically reduce the need to heat water. They reduce that heating demand by a minimum of 80 percent. That is a lot of natural gas and boiler time that is not needed. This alone is reason enough to use the systems but as a bonus they also reduce water and chemical demand. Linens and towels come out softer and last up to two or three times longer. How can you argue with that?
The Upside to Ozone
Here are just a few more reasons why ozone in your laundry is good for the environment and your bottom line.
• Your property’s overall carbon footprint is significantly reduced.
• Equipment (boilers, laundry equipment) lasts longer because less hot water and fewer wash cycles are needed.
• Ozone laundry systems work well in combination with laundry water recycling systems, multiplying water savings.
• Because cleaning is completed faster, there are opportunities to save on labor costs.
• Drying time is reduced because linens and towels washed with ozone do not hold as much water. This saves even more natural gas or electricity.
• Ozone kills harmful bacteria thousands of times faster than chlorine.
• Systems require little maintenance and are, for the most part, plug and play.
• There are a lot of suppliers in the industry, which keeps pricing at a reasonable level.
• Ozone improves sewage water quality by 30 to 50 percent.
• Laundry rooms, especially those located in buildings in warmer climates, require less energy to cool because less hot water and steam is present. This improves working conditions for employees.
As emphasized in my latest article, key to the success of any ozone laundry system is the relationship one has with the chemical supplier after the installation. Fewer chemicals will be needed, which may or may not cause some friction. It has got to be a team effort. As one ozone system vendor emphasized, it would be to your benefit to get your chemical supplier on board before the ozone system is purchased.
Attendance at The Lodging Conference
From Tuesday, September 23 through Friday, September 26, I will be attending The Lodging Conference in Phoenix at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. If you are planning to attend that event, be sure to look for me. I will be reachable there at (216) 702-0334. Look for coverage of the conference on the Green Lodging News website and in the September 29 newsletter.
‘Hard Case’ for ‘Green’ Hotel Development
Jim Butler has authored a paper titled, “The Compelling ‘Hard Case’ for ‘Green’ Hotel Development. The paper appeared in the August 2008 edition of “Cornell Hospitality Quarterly.” To read the paper, click here.
New Green Lodging News Blog
Be sure to bookmark the new Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. The address for the blog is http://greenlodgingnews.blogspot.com. More importantly, participate with your comments.
Plan Now for Fall, 2009 Advertising
If you are a supplier selling green products, be sure to call me at (440) 243-2055 to discuss your advertising plans for the fall and winter. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
