What Can You Do
Water/Energy Conservationists
As a conservationist, you are always looking for new conservation methods to consider and promote. Most people have never heard of the savings associated with common-area laundry rooms. They assume that all washing machines use the same amount of water and are used with the same frequency.
As the National Study of Laundry-Water Use in Multi-Housing -2002 Independent Study Conducted by the National Research Center, Inc. found, the convenience of having a washing machine in the apartment unit promoted wasteful habits. These apartment residents did many more, smaller loads than residents who utilized a common-area laundry room, resulting in 3.3 percent more water and 5 percent more energy usage.How can you help?
•Review current guidelines for developers – Often times guidelines exists that reward developers for certain amenities. These point systems often encourage in-unit washing machines. If your community has such guidelines, let us know so we can help educate the authors of the impact of these point systems.
•Contact Apartment Owners and Mangers – Discuss the possibility of offering incentives to residents who do not opt to use in-unit laundry equipment.
•Spread the word – Start sharing this information with your municipal contacts and other peers. Most municipalities offer rebates for energy efficient machines, but have never considered that simple convenience can waste so much water. Encourage them to visit this site and read about how municipalities can utilize this information.
•Include common-area laundry rooms in municipal and state conservation guidelines – Many municipalities and states are now developing conservation guidelines, which include everything from Xeriscaping to gray water uses. Encourage the authors of these documents to consider the water and energy saving benefits of the common-area laundry room.
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