If you are looking at buying commercial laundry equipment, there are several factors you need to consider when making a commercial laundry investment. There was a time when commercial equipment came as it was. But, technology, what the expectations of the machines are, what they are to be used for, and the actual process of buying them all will play a part.
Here is a close look at what you can expect when you make a commercial laundry investment.
Commercial Laundry Considerations
With the advancement of today’s technology, there are more options than ever when it comes to purchasing commercial laundry equipment.
Where is it Going?
Some machines might be fine for what you need them for, while others will certainly be better. If you are buying them for a hotel, a prison, a coin-operated public laundry, a hospital, a firehouse, a school, and so on.
Obviously, a hotel will have different needs than the laundry at a prison, or a public laundromat. That means the machines will be different, as well. A prison isn’t going to be concerned about the state of their linens, they will just want to get everything clean and be able to handle high volume and keep utilities low.
Overall Costs
Besides the cost of the machines themselves, you need to consider other aspects.
Buy or Lease
Buying or leasing the equipment is something to be considered. If you use your machines all day and night, they are at higher risk of breaking down or wearing out.
With a lease, all the repairs are covered but your vendor. As repairs may be expensive, this might be a way to go. In particular, your budget is free for other items, your repair people are not overly taxed, and you will get regular maintenance checks.
Utilities
The cost of operation from a utilities standpoint can also be expensive. Paying more for machines that can conserve energy, provide a pre-soak, or engage in a cool down or auto shut-off is well with the extra money you may pay upfront.
Some machines can do a spray rinse, which saves several gallons of water per use. That all adds up in savings any business will want to see and pass on to their customers in other ways.
Service and Repair
As mentioned, the cost of servicing machines on an ongoing basis can also be quite costly. Not only to repair the machines but the cost of having them out of commission, as well.
Investing in machines that are built to handle heavier loads, be more energy-efficient, handle more use, and just stand up better. Consider the longevity of the machines you are looking at, what are their ratings for cycles.
Some machines are meant to last seven or eight years or about 30,000 cycles. Others are designated for 15 to 25 years, and those machines are better suited for 50,000 plus cycles.
If you have a machine that consistently breaks down, after a few years the costs of repair and service can cost as much as a new machine. If this happens with several machines consistently, it’s going to cost a lot of money.
Machine Replacement
Machines today are more expensive because they offer more features. But cheap machines are still cheap machines. If you opt for more expensive machines, you should expect them to last longer.
Commercial machines get much more use than those in your home. If they are running eight to ten plus cycles per day, that adds up. If your machines are having to be replaced every ten years or less, something is not adding up.
Make Your Machines Last
Consider getting new equipment on lease. You can sign on for several years and have all the repairs or replacements taken care of during that lease period. At the end of the lease, renew or buy the equipment.
Also, consider getting regular service and maintenance checks for your machines. They need cleaning, checked, and small repairs to make sure they last as long as they should.
Contact the experts at RJ Kool for a smart commercial laundry investment. We can answer any questions you might have and point you in the right direction for the type of equipment that will best suit your needs.
