With all of the different pieces of dry-cleaning equipment required to operate a successful business, it should go without saying that any typical fabricare facility uses its fair share of energy. In fact, it’s estimated that energy bills can account for nearly 30 percent of a dry cleaner’s total operating costs, representing a significant amount of dollars spent.
However, as technology has improved, there have been increasing opportunities for dry cleaners to adopt more energy-efficient technology for their businesses. This can help curb overhead costs and add to the bottom line.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the key ways your dry cleaning business can save on energy bills.
Energy Saving Tips for Your Dry-Cleaning Facility
Excessive energy use isn’t just costly; it can also be harmful to the environment. Therefore, if you want to save money and run an eco-friendlier business, it’s important to be strategic about your operations. Here are five ways your dry-cleaning service can reduce your energy use:
1. Invest in Air Vacuums
Air vacuums integrate with steam presses to help process articles of clothing. They’re highly efficient, as they take a lot of the strain off of the boiler. This is important because boilers account for up to 60 percent of a dry-cleaning facility’s total energy costs. Therefore, reducing the strain on it can help minimize overall energy usage as well as wear and tear on the appliance (which leads to fewer repairs).
2. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances
All equipment within a dry-cleaning facility will need to be replaced at some point. And when they do, upgrading to energy-efficient options can help lower your utility bills. Plus, you might even be able to secure tax credits from the local or federal government!
3. Zero in on Your Hot Water Usage
If you’re using a water heater that’s powered by natural gas, upgrading to a high-efficiency version can reduce energy usage by more than 30 percent. Additionally, you should take any necessary steps to keep your water hot for as long as possible. This might include insulating water heater tanks, turning down their temperature so that they don’t run as often, and converting to solar power or other renewable resources for heating.
4. Conduct Preventative Maintenance
There’s a good chance that much of the equipment in your dry-cleaning facility isn’t running up to its maximum potential – and you might not even know it. This is where scheduling regular maintenance comes in handy. By tuning up your equipment a few times per year, you can resolve small issues before they escalate. Of course, well-maintained machines are often more efficient, helping you save on your utility bills.
5. Adjust Your Lighting
Aside from assessing your equipment, we also suggest considering some of the small things you can do to reduce your energy usage. Simple fixes, such as upgrading to efficient lightbulbs or investing in motion sensors or smart lights that automatically turn off after a certain period of time, can add up to significant savings.
Often, when it comes to saving energy, it’s not just one thing that makes a difference. Rather, several smaller steps can have a serious impact on your energy consumption. For more information on the role your dry-cleaning systems plays in your overall energy usage, or to learn about the high-efficiency equipment offered by Rema Dri-Vac, contact us today.