Price is the amount of money you pay for laundry equipment. Cost is the amount of money you pay to operate laundry equipment over the lifetime. Sometimes this is called the Total Cost of Ownership. There are five key points that affect the Total Cost of Ownership.
1. Labor Cost
Since labor is the largest cost in operating industrial washing machines and dryers, searching for laundry equipment that can assist in reducing cycle times is very important. If the wash cycle time can be shortened with special features, your laundry will not have to operate as many hours. For example, many of the lower priced washing machines use 1/2″ water valves. If your laundry runs 10 loads per day, a washer with 3/4″ water valves versus 1/2″ water valves could save you 30 minutes of operating time.
Lower priced washing machines generally have lower extraction speeds. To get the lowest Total Cost of Ownership, you should invest in higher extraction speeds to remove more water from linens. This allows the linen to dry faster. If extraction efficiency is measured by G-force, a 300 G-force washer will remove significantly more water than a 90 G-force washer. The dry time difference in a 60 lb load of terry towels can be almost ten minutes! How much labor can you save in your operation by cutting ten minutes on every load of towels?
2. Natural Gas Cost
Natural gas prices are at an all-time high. Utilities are a controllable cost that is often overlooked when considering which commercial washers and dryers to buy. Using the 300 G-force vs. 90 G-force scenario, you might save more than a $1000 per year by reducing the time you operate a gas-heated commercial tumble dryer. How much money can you save in your utility bill by cutting ten minutes of drying time on every load of towels?
3. Value for Your Money
If there is a major difference in the price of two washers, there is probably a reason. One of the machines probably has higher quality components or additional features. Look at the total weight of the machine. Weight generally indicates if the frame or bearings are built to a higher standard and are more likely to give you extended years of service. This may even lower maintenance costs over the life of the product. Stainless steel panels versus painted panels are worth spending a little extra money for. Especially after laundry chemicals have corroded the painted sides. Look for the little differences that will matter a year or two after you made the purchase.
4. Proven Performance
Past performance is often the best indicator of future performance. What do you know about the machine you are considering? Do you know anyone that has used this brand of machine for over five years? What do you know about the company you are buying from? How will they perform service for you in the future? How many service technicians do they have? How many hours does it take to respond to your future service needs? It is worth paying a little more for good service support of the equipment.
5. Warranty
Be sure to read the fine print on the warranty. Pay close attention to the limited parts warranty. Some companies don’t warranty the wearable components, while other companies offer more comprehensive warranties. The industry warranty period varies from one year to three years — make sure the lowest priced supplier has the same warranty. Also make sure you have the warranty details in writing. Having the longest and most comprehensive warranty should lower your Total Cost of Ownership.
When buying laundry equipment find the products that will lower your Total Cost of Ownership! Be sure you determine the difference between Price and Cost.
Many of the largest companies in the world are using UniMac® laundry equipment making UniMac the #1 selling brand in America.