How to be Properly Lit if You Are a Laundry

Utility costs for lighting and signs can account for as much as one half of a typical coin laundry''s electrical consumption. That is perhaps the best reason laundry operators should ask themselves, when it comes to saving, is there anything that we may have overlooked? Our purpose here is to re-introduce our readers to Energy-Efficient Lighting for coin and card operated laundries. How, for example, can one lower the costs for lighting while still keeping customers happy just by changing their lighting? Here are some suggestions for no-cost or low-cost steps one can take immediately to reduce laundry lighting costs and get back any small investment in just a short span of time. Lowering the Cost of Lighting. Many laundry owners woefully underestimate the costs for lighting their businesses. Most are not aware that in a typical laundry more than half of the electrical energy used is for lighting, and that as much as half of that may be wasted through them depending on outdated equipment, poor maintenance or inefficient use. We suggest that you save energy on lighting by following these few simple suggestions: Lower wattage use by replacing the ceiling lamps (usually fluorescents) and use the more efficient newer models. Reduce lighting use by training attendants or employees to turn off unneeded lights when they are not needed. Take advantage of natural light wherever it''s possible to do so. Typical laundries can save a lot of money by adjusting their light timers in two ways. First make sure that they are set to the right season of the year. Not to fall back in the autumn is a huge waste of electricity. Not to spring forward can lose you customers and waste money too. Maintaining lighting fixtures is something that laundry operators usually overlook. We get so used to seeing how the laundry looks that we do not notice gradual changes, such as the ceiling lights getting a bit dimmer. And, most of us don''t look up to notice the fixtures. We are used to them being there. Over time, dust accumulates and settles on the reflectors, and they reflect less light. Clean them every six months of so. Using Fluorescent Lights to Save Money-and Keep Customers Coming Back. Incandescent lamps (ordinary run of the mill light bulbs), are usually the cheapest type to buy, but definitely they are, by far, the most expensive to operate. Most laundries use fluorescent tubes to light the customer''s area, but a few still use bulbs, and you have to wonder why? Fluorescent lamps are generally three to four times more efficient than incandescent lamps and will last 10 times longer. If your laundry business already has the old 1?-inch diameter fluorescent tubes (known as T12s), you can get better lighting for 30 percent less energy simply by switching to the new T8 models that are 1-inch in diameter and will save you lots of money. These remarkable light tubes will require new electronic ballasts, but a qualified person can easily install them into the same slots in your existing fixtures. And they give off better light. The customer area looks more pleasant and customers'' laundry looks cleaner to them. Long coin laundry operating hours mean that new T8 lamps will pay for themselves pretty fast! When selecting the tubes, stay away from those that offer harsh light. Your customers will appreciate softer lighting. Make the same changes inside your signs to save. If you use incandescent bulbs in other signs, replacing them with LED (Light Emitting Diodes) fixtures can reduce electrical costs up to 95%. Make sure all signs operate on timers too. Saving Energy the Old-Fashioned Way, Turn Off Unnecessary Lights. There may not be anything fancy about this energy saving idea. Train yourself, your attendants and employees to turn off all lights at closing time, except for those dedicated for night time security. Make it part of their daily work schedule. That will help create electrical savings. You use less energy, thereby lowering your electric bill. You will also be extending the useful life of the fluorescent lamps, saving money on replacement and you''ll need to change lamps less often, reducing overall labor costs. The lights in your customer area aren''t the only ones to monitor for these savings. Ensure office and storage lighting are switched off whenever these areas are not in use, even during business hours. The Best and Lowest Cost Lighting Plan is to Use as Much Daylight as Possible. Natural light from the sun is free and, here in the west we enjoy sunny days most of the time and most of the year. Take advantage of this abundant lighting source to brighten your laundry during the day. Let in as much outdoor light as possible through your front windows by keeping signs and posters to a minimum and by installing skylights or lighting tubes where possible. Studies have strongly suggested there may be a direct link between customer satisfaction, employee productivity and having the business have better quality lighting. Help yourself to these advantages with the brightness of daylight. Hey, it''s free too! Prevention Includes Maintaining the Lighting Fixtures and Lamps. To get the most efficiency from your lighting, develop a regular, consistent maintenance program. Light levels decrease due to aging lamps and dirt on fixtures, lamps, and room surfaces. The following tips can help you make the most of your lighting investment: Clean fixtures, lamps, and lenses every 6 to 12 months. Wipe off lint and dust. But, never clean any bulb while it is turned on. Moisture in the cleaning cloths could have a rapid cooling effect and shatter hot bulbs. When fluorescent tubes get dark at the end, replace them. These tubes will burn the same electricity while giving less and less light. Don''t make the mistake of leaving burned out tubes in place. The rest of the fixture works fine, and of course dead tubes don''t draw any power do they? Unfortunately, even while dark, they do draw power, and that costs you money. Why should you pay the power company for the juice if the fluorescents give out no light? You may not have to totally redecorate, but its smart to paint your customer area every two to three years. Dirt and lint collect on wall surfaces, and paint fades with time. That reduces the amount of light your laundry walls will reflect, making your coin laundry look dark, dingy and less inviting. With good maintenance, less electric light is needed to achieve the desired light level. Replace all your lamps at the same time. This saves on labor, keeps your operation at the best lighting level and avoids undue stress on ballasts with dying lamps. We recommend revamping every 20,000 hours (every 4 to 5 years, depending on your hours of operation) for fluorescent lights. These bright ideas will not only help you save money, they will help keep customers coming back to your cheerful and well-lit coin or card operated laundry.