Feature

by Graham Parker

Common-area laundry-room utility costs are generally the largest portion of the common area utility bill paid by a multifamily property owner. There are numerous ways to save energy, water and costs in multifamily laundry room operations, ranging from the installation of high-efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors to using high-efficiency water heaters and washers. The savvy manager or owner will deploy many practical and cost-effective strategies to gain the maximum amount of gas, electricity and water/sewer savings. You may have already factored similar strategies into future equipment replacement and property renovation plans.

However, there is no better time than now to replace your standard commercial clothes washer with a high-efficiency unit and, at the same time, harvest significant savings. A new program, LightWash, is brought to you in part by your water utility and funded by California ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. LightWash provides cash incentives to you for the purchase or lease of high-efficiency commercial laundry washers.

The LightWash program offers rebates to managers/owners/operators of multifamily properties of up to $450 per qualified washer for either a purchase or lease. The LightWash program can help you save money, energy and water while providing your tenants the latest in high-efficiency commercial laundry equipment.

Q: What laundry washers qualify for the rebate?
A: Nearly 60 models of commercial laundry washers qualify for the rebate. GE, Huebsch, Maytag, Speed Queen, Staber, Unimac, Wascomat, and Whirlpool offer these washers. The list of qualifying washers can be found on the LightWash Web site, or by calling toll-free 866-307-9274.

Q: Are these washers available with a coin-box or card-reader?
A: Most qualifying washers are available with either a coin-box or card-reader, but this equipment is not required for qualifying machines. Ask your local retailer, distributor or route operator for the range of available features on qualifying washers.

Q: Can the washers be leased from my route operator and still qualify for a rebate?
A: The washers may either be leased or purchased. The same rebate amount per washer applies to both options.

Q: How do I apply for a rebate and how many rebates can I receive?
A:Visit the Light Wash Web site for instructions or call toll-free, 866-307-9274. There is no minimum or maximum purchase. You may purchase or lease any number of high-efficiency washers. To be assured that rebate funds are set aside for your purchase, please call as soon as possible.

Q: How Long Does the Program Last?
A: Don’t delay! Rebates will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds are exhausted or the program ends, whichever occurs first. You can reserve program funds by calling us. The program ends on December 31, 2003.

Now more than ever, California multifamily property owners and managers need to be more conscious about energy and water efficiency and savings. Taking actions to wisely use your property’s energy and water, particularly in your laundry room, will be time and money well spent—savings you can take to the bank each month.

Choosing a High-Efficiency Washer Over a Standard Washer:

A qualified high-performance commercial washer in a laundry room with a gas water heater—used four times (turns) per day—can save a bundle compared to the purchase of a standard commercial clothes washer.

Annual energy savings:	$ 36 (b)
Annual water/sewer savings:	$ 54 (c)
Total combined savings:	$ 90 /year/washer
Average cost of high-efficiency commercial washer	$ 1200
Less typical LightWash rebate	$ 400
Final cost of high-efficiency commercial washer	$ 800
Average cost of standard commercial washer	$ 600
Cost premium for high-efficiency washer	$ 200
Payback of cost premium via utility bill savings:	$200/$90 = 2.2 years
High-efficiency washer lifetime net savings (d)	$435/washer

With these savings, it's like getting one high-efficiency washer free for every three washers you purchase. a. Compared to a standard washer. Based on an independent field study undertaken by Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory at Leisure World, Laguna Woods, CA. (www.pnl.gov/buildings/download_reports.html). b. Based on natural gas at $0.75/therm and electricity at 13 cents/kWh. c. Based on $3/thousand gallons water/sewer rate. d. Based on a seven-year life. Non-discounted $$ using current utility rates. Similar savings would be achieved with an electric water heater.

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Graham Parker has worked at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in several capacities for nearly 30 years. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the SFAA or the San Francisco Apartment Magazine. For more information about LightWash, call them toll free at 866-307-9274. Copyright © 2003 San Francisco Apartment Magazine