Cold water is “hot.” Last month P&G Professional (not an advertiser of Green Lodging News), the away-from-home division of Procter & Gamble, announced that the Tide Professional Coldwater Laundry System was named a 2015 Award Winner by the internationally renowned Edison Awards. This laundry system enables hotel facilities to reduce the energy needed to heat the water in a commercial washer by as much as 75 percent and to reduce the water used in a commercial washer by up to 40 percent.
According to P&G Professional, Tide Professional Coldwater features an advanced system using unique enzymes that are specially designed for lower wash temperatures which help effectively break down stains without the need for higher water temperatures. The end result is a system that uses significantly less water in colder temperatures to deliver clean, soft, white linens and towels to hotel guests. The new wash process reduces the number of fills and water used per wash to help cut washing machine gas and water costs in half. Linen replacement costs are reduced by up to 15 percent due to the near-neutral pH formula and added Tide Professional Whiteness Enhancer.
What Procter & Gamble figured out is what many ozone laundry system vendors have known for a long time—that you can eliminate hot water and almost all warm water in the laundering process.
Long-time readers of Green Lodging News will know that I have written about ozone laundry systems in the past—as far back as 2006, and then again in 2008. I posted an updated article this past week. Be sure to read it. The article reconfirms that ozone laundry technology can be highly effective at dramatically reducing energy costs. Ozone injected into the washer, in combination with the right amount of chemicals, does the job that hot water typically does. Ozone laundry systems are not only energy savers, they also provide many other benefits as well: reduction in water consumption and waste water volume, reduction in chemicals, reduction in drying time, an extension of linen and towel life, and an improved work environment for associates.
Favor Knowledge, Experience, Longevity
At one time ozone laundry systems had a bad reputation. It is still possible to buy systems that won’t last. That is why it is critical to do business with suppliers that have been around a while and that have national service and support networks.
When asked what advice he would give to someone considering ozone for laundering for the first time, Cameron Tapp, President and CEO of ClearWater Tech, says to ask potential suppliers about third party approvals. “Has the system been validated by a third party—UL, CE, CS?” Tapp adds, “Be sure to ask if the system is appropriate for your washers. Will it benefit your size facility? Ask the supplier about the number of years in business and whether or not they manufacture their systems themselves or source them from offshore.”
“Understand how ozone works,” adds Jim Gross, President of Ozone Water Technologies. “Get an understanding of the basics. Ask companies what is the ROI that can be expected in a conservative form.”
Check around a bit and you will find that ozone delivery and measurement in the laundry has gotten more precise. Rebates are available in many places and one’s return on investment can easily be less than one year.
I have called ozone laundry technology a “no brainer” in the past and it still is. It is low hanging fruit that many have yet to pick.
Got an ozone laundry story to share? Give me a call at (813) 510-3868 or e-mail editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
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