Utilities required for Setting Up a Commercial Laundry and Dry Cleaning Businesses
Whether you are already running a laundry business and are looking at a new site, or considering a brand new start up, taking a look at the utilities issue early on is an important consideration, both from the practical and the financial points of view.
Surprisingly, addressing the utility topic is often left until later in the process, but carrying out some due diligence early on will prove beneficial, both in terms of time and money.
If you’re setting up in a location that wasn’t previously a launderette, such as a shop on a high street or a unit within an industrial estate, it is likely that the utilities will be inadequate. This means you will need to evaluate the costs of enhancing the gas, electricity and water supplies as well as the water waste pipe. Making sure that your premises can be upgraded with larger gas, electricity and water supplies is essential.
All these issues should be investigated with the relevant authorities, i. e. local water company, gas transporter, and electricity distribution network operator, for costs and feasibility to upgrade the services.
- Utilities are one of the biggest running costs in laundries. When considering buying laundry and dry-cleaning equipment always opt for the most energy and water efficient models if you are able to!
Table of Contents
GAS SUPPLY FOR LAUNDRIES
What do I need to do to make sure my gas supply is adequate?
Most commercial laundries have a range of gas appliances including driers, rotary ironers, and combined washer driers typically running on natural Gas (NG). The size and type of appliance will dictate the volume of gas required to operate the equipment, but the demand can be significant, particularly as several machines may be in operation simultaneously. Additionally, there could be a further demand for constant hot-water. This means that the site demand will be higher than a typical shop or industrial unit.
The 1st requirement is to find out whether there is an existing gas supply to your new premises. If there is, then you can identify it from the Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN). This number will appear on any old bills you find in the property or possibly from the landlord. If you can identify the MPRN it is possible to obtain details about the incoming supply capacity. However, if there is no sign of a gas meter it will be necessary to engage with the Gas Transporter (GT). It is always possible that there is or has been a gas supply in the premises but it may be capped off. If you have difficulties with any of this, please ask us here at Gas Connections and we can help you.
Identifying an existing gas supply is one thing but confirming whether it is capable of delivering the volume of gas you require is another. This issue breaks down into 2 elements: 1) Is the pipework adequate to deliver the volume of gas required? and 2) Is the existing meter capable of handling the increased volume of gas as it is delivered?
What will new Gas Supply pipework cost for a commercial Laundry?
To establish what level of gas is available from your existing gas pipe a survey is carried out via the Gas Transporter 1 (GT1) process. If the conclusion of this is that there is insufficient pipe capacity, then you will need a supply upgrade. The cost will depend on how far the site is from the nearest supply main. This cost is based on the distance between the 2 points and the size of pipe required.
What will a new Gas Meter cost for a Commercial Laundry?
There are 6 different models of low-pressure gas meters and they are designed to cater for varying levels of demand. The type required is going to depend on the Peak Demand (Energy Required – The Service Pipe Energy Value (SPEV) in kilowatt hours kWh) required to run all your equipment simultaneously. You can calculate this by adding the rating of each piece of equipment together. Once calculated you can identify the meter that will best suit your purposes. Smaller gas meters can be supplied and installed from around £285 but prices increase according to size.
Note: It is best to over-specify the size than under. It may be that you need to add more equipment as time progresses. However, please note, the larger the gas meter, the higher the standing charge you will occur with your gas supply contract.
Our friendly Team here at Gas Connections can help you with any of the above requirements and can carry out a GT1 for you. We Can also help establish your SPEV – Peak Demand.
One of the best ways to reduce gas consumption is by using energy management. Laundries in commercial premises use significant amounts of gas. Reducing your business’ consumption of gas in its laundry process will reduce your energy bills.
Before you make any changes to how you use gas, it is a good idea to perform an energy audit to see how to monitor your gas use.
ELECTRICITY
As in the case gas, there is generally a high level of electricity demand in commercial laundries and dry cleaners. Washers, Dryers, and Ironing Equipment are all used continually throughout the day resulting in both a high level of hourly demand as well as significant annual electricity consumption.
How much Electricity will I need in my Commercial Laundry?
- Generally you will require a 3-phase (415 volts) electricity supply and a Half-Hourly (HH) profile electric meter. Some equipment can be run on single phase, but If you’re able, run the highest voltage that the washer is available in. Higher voltage means less amp draw, resulting in lower operating costs. Before embarking on any electric works, you should quantify the level of demand you are going to need. This is achieved by calculating the rating, in kilowatts (Kw) of all the electrical equipment onsite, including lighting, refrigeration, air-conditioning etc. as well as your laundry and dry-cleaning appliances.
What will it cost to increase site electricity capacity?
- Once you have calculated the anticipated site demand, you will need to contact the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) who can check to see if there is sufficient capacity available. If not, it may be able to be upgraded relatively easily. However, there are occasions when additional capacity will need to be brought in from the nearest large main or sub-station, and this can be expensive.
What will it cost to install a 3-Phase, Half-Hourly (HH) Profile electric meter?
- Typically, the supply and installation of a 3-phase HH meter costs in the region of £350. Be aware, there are additional costs with an HH meter such as a Meter Operator Agreement (MOP) and Data-Collection (DC) charges. These are levied annually and often form part of your electricity bill.
One of the best ways to reduce electricity consumption is by using energy management. Laundries in commercial premises use significant amounts of electricity. Reducing your business’ consumption of gas in its laundry process will reduce your energy bills.
Before you make any changes to how you use electricity, it is a good idea to perform an energy audit to see how to monitor your electricity use.
For information on Energy Audits see here: https://www.touchstoneservices.co.uk/energy-management/
WATER
Typically, existing shop units will have a minimum incoming water supply of 15mm which may be adequate for running taps and toilets but wouldn’t be suitable for running a laundry operation where multiple washers need to be filled simultaneously. If you feel that your new site is in an ideal location, but the water capacity is inadequate, then you will need to get an idea of what the cost of upgrading your premises’ water supply is likely to be. This will also include the outgoing water waste pipe.
Water consumption in modern laundries can vary between under 5 litre/kg of dry textiles to over 20 litre/kg! Most laundries can improve their consumption simply by employing best practice and sound management, along with energy and water efficient equipment. Additionally, you could invest in water recycling equipment. These measures will pay back in reduced utility costs and reduced carbon emissions.
*There are many water efficient laundry appliances on the market currently today.
What size water supply will I need?
- Commercial laundries can use significant amounts of water depending on the type and efficiency of their appliances. The size of the incoming supply pipe will depend on the number and types of machines on site. You should work with your installers/suppliers to establish your future water demand.
Connection pipe size
- Your engineer’s design calculations should identify the size of pipework required. This is usually (but not always) one size up from the required meter size – for instance, a 15mm meter would need a 25mm pipe. If you are likely to extend or upgrade your site in the future, you should consider installing an oversized pipe at the initial stage, to keep future upgrade costs to a minimum.
Water discharge
- Water discharge from laundries can be treated as Trade Effluent due to potential contamination.
- Most water authorities use the Mogden Formula to assess just how much they are going to charge laundries to discharge the waste-water down the drain. However, as the majority of waste sent down the sewer is acidic and laundries discharge high volumes of alkaline waste, this reduces the cost of the effluent treatment, because one neutralises the other.