help with rising utilities

[rondo]

I've been trying to come up with some ideas for months to help solve our problems with gas prices,a few things I've concluded could help. 1. Think about using Cheer in W/D/F and washing more clothes in cold water because all good detergents kill germs and cold water is safer on all mix clothing also I understand that a toploader set on hot (18 gal. wash) use to cost about 25 cent in gas, now much more. 2. Cheer is made for cold water water 3. Install restricter washers in your hotwater valves (tops and fronts) these washers will slowdown the flow of hot water and make your warm settings a little cooler, these are the same washer that go in your soapbox valves so you put them in your tub valves on fronts(not sure it will help on wasco's gen 5 I think they have thermistats in the tubs that control temps) 4. Invest in some WE-16s for w/d/f use. I have the home model and my water bill dropped 50% and they spin at a incredible speed plus less hotwater(appox 5 or 6 gals wash) less drying time good for whites if needed. 5. If what we are being told is true about 50-60% of our gas bill is for hotwater invest in a high efficiency hot water system with the above changes it could help but talk to owners about sizing because all the sales reps will sale you a model that over kills. There it is, please input your thinking.

[petefritz]

I am replacing tops with high effcicency FL, ipso hf-55. In the meantime I just raised all my washer pricing and lowered dry time to compensate for the price increase in gas. If gas starts to get a little cheaper it will make my profits even better. You might want to look into bulk gas or deregulated programs. I went into one recently, dropped my gas price by 35%.

[michaelweldy]

What area are you located? We checked into bulk gas, but have to use about 200K therms at one location to qualify.

[petefritz]

I am in florida.

[rondo]

Pete, What kind of price are the ipso's and what is the water usage?

[petefritz]

The washers are around $1600. They use 15 gallons I think, 1 wash and 3 rinse cycles.
It is a heavy duty machine, stainless cabinet, not a home washer with a coin slide attached. It looks as tough as any hard mount I have seen, yet is soft mount. It is a direct hook up to the drain, no pump.

[rondo]

Pete, how's the soap box set-up?

[petefritz]

The soap box and coin drop were important in the deciding factor for me.
Like a regular hard mount, soap is put in a tray on top with softner, coins are dropped in an acceptor built into the front of the machine. It is the most secure machine of it's size I looked at. The thing I wanted to accomplish is replace top loaders with a machine that I could vend at the same price, holds the same load. The IPSO is the best match. Is pricy, but I see that as an investment that will pay off big in the long run. The trouble with the other soft mount is they hold to much clothes, and are sold as double loaders. Besides having to charge more, I don't think they are as tough. Here is another issue, albiet small to some. The IPSO will start after the last coin is dropped and door shut. All the rest have a button to push to start. In an unattended situation, simple is better.