OPL washer-extractors

Concern for the environment

1 February 2008



Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important to OPL operators. Tony Vince looks at sustainable development in washer-extractors


Customers in the OPL market are becoming increasingly concerned about all aspects of the environment from reducing carbon footprints to maximising energy efficiency and minimising resource use. This concern goes beyond the cost benefits and applies to both public and private sectors.

Whilst the quality/cost equation is always an issue, manufacturers note that customers’ demands are increasingly for OPL machines that deliver environmental benefits as well as economic benefits.

According to Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems, there have been substantial improvements to machine design to meet these requirements. For example, higher spin speeds result in less residual moisture and so reduce the drying cycle, the most energy intensive phase of the process.

High-spin machines deliver other benefits, too. They cost less to install and provide greater flexibility.

The proportion of high-spin washer-extractors supplied by Armstrong continues to grow year on year. The company attributes this success in the OPL sector to its exceptionally broad product offer and to its ability to anticipate customer needs. Machines from three manufacturers, ranging in capacity from 5 – 300kg, allow Armstrong to provide the right option for every size of OPL.

The Primus range of free-standing washer-extractors includes models at 5, 7, 10, 16, 22, 33, 40 and 55kg and there is a similar range of floor-mounted equipment.

For larger hotels and institutions, Armstrong offers industrial grade build machines from 50 – 300kg from Lapauw, and the 6.5 kg Schulthess, frequently used in Amazon laundry centres.

Inverter drives are another development that delivers environmental as well as economic benefits. The gradual ramping up to optimal speeds in the tumble, reverse and extract cycles reduces inrush current by 40%. As well as saving energy, inverter drives reduce wear and tear on loads and on structures and components such as seals and bearings. This prolongs machine life and reduces maintenance costs.

Advanced microprocessor controls enable fine tuning of wash programs to save both energy and water consumption.

When Snow and Stephenson Colleges at Durham University decided to cut the student launderettes’ carbon footprint, they called in Armstrong, the equipment supplier and operator of both college launderettes. Durham University is one of only 13 in the UK to be accredited as an Energy Efficient Institution by the Carbon Trust. The Armstrong launderettes have been running for a year and the accommodation officer, Margaret Kuby, decided to see if Snow and Stephenson College students could make their contribution to progressively reducing its carbon footprint.

Armstrong conducted a comprehensive review of the existing programs and the students’ requirements. They then made changes to cycle times and temperatures to cut water and energy consumption. These included cutting a pre-wash, which saves about 50 litres per cycle.

Temperatures in some programs are reduced and, importantly, the students are offered a choice of a 30degree wash or a 40degree wash on the most frequently used programs.

“Our launderettes are busy so the changes will make a significant contribution to cutting our carbon emissions,” says Kuby. “The changes Armstrong is implementing help us achieve our objectives and also make a welcome contribution to reducing our expenditure on energy and water.”

Electrolux Laundry Systems, part of the Electrolux group, recently introduced its new Sustainable Development brochure.

The group manufactures commercial laundry equipment, including washer-extractors that range in capacity up to 120kg.

Marketing executive Helena Crowhurst says: “The Electrolux group is committed to sustainable development.” She says the company is totally committed to environmental issues at every stage of the industrial cycle, from design to manufacturing, and points out that in February 2007, the European Commission awarded the sustainable energy prize in the corporate commitment category to the Electrolux Group.

Sustainable development

Electrolux has responded to the demand for sustainable development by launching the G4000 range, which includes washer-extractors. It provides the perfect balance between consumption of water, energy, and time, says the company, and makes it possible to obtain the best results when washing, drying, and ironing whilst being environmentally friendly.

The latest Compass Control programming mechanisms were developed and designed exclusively by Electrolux for its G4000 range.

With Compass Control, operators can choose the program set-up that suits them best, and best achieves balance between low water and energy consumption, whilst maximising wash results with shorter processing time.

Wash program libraries can be used with the company’s “Wash Triangle” technology for general in-house laundry needs. With the Wash Triangle Compass Control, use of water, energy and time can be optimised according to operating needs thanks to three available pre-set programs: economy, performance, and time.

Using economy programs will help to reduce laundry running costs.The economy program can reduce water consumption by as much as 40% and energy by 30%, says Electrolux.

If requirements change, then the operator can reconfigure the machine from the library using performance or time.

Compass Control wash programs can be changed to meet specific needs – whether healthcare, restaurants, or leisure. Frequently used programs can be assigned a quick start button.

Further savings can be made through options such as the Automatic Weighing System (AWS), a software program built into the wash cycle which guarantees the best level of water according to the size of the laundry load, and Integrated Weighing System (IWS), to ensure correct dosing of water and detergent.

Miele Professional’ s portfolio offers washers to suit every size of establishment, says product manager Malcolm Martin.

Its most popular machines are the 6.5 kg capacity models. However last year saw a significant increase in the 10 – 20kg range, says Martin, with most of these being installed in care and nursing homes.

“We have developed programs specifically for processing infected laundry in nursing and care homes.

“These minimise the risk of cross infection, ensure fast turn around times for linen and garments and afford excellent protection of the laundry,” he adds.

Dump valve drain versions of the washer-extractors feature two sluice and thermal disinfection programs that meet Department of Health Guidelines HSG(95) 18, and conform to the requirements of the Care Standard Act 2000.

All Miele laundry machines are tested and approved by the Water Regulatory Advisory Scheme for mains connection in any high-risk establishment. An optional extra on some of the larger Miele machines is an automatic weighing system.

This is a sensitive platform built into the base of the machine, which uses electronics to monitor and weigh loads and adjusts water and dosing levels accordingly.

“We have also developed a dosing system for low temperature disinfecting,” says Martin. “This Proof of Delivery (POD) system uses specially developed water-based liquid disinfecting agents, in conjunction with a delivery pump.

“It is designed to disable the machine in the event that the liquid agents are not delivered, thereby providing a fail-safe solution to disinfecting,” he adds.

Part of Miele’s ongoing commitment to after-sales support is its fast response in terms of breakdown repairs and call-outs, offered through a nationwide partner network.

The engineers can now diagnose faults remotely. If there is a fault with a Miele cleaning and disinfecting machine, a message can be sent to the Miele service department automatically, using a special Remote Service Assistant (RSA) module. This module can be linked to up to six Miele machines and enables the service engineer to establish remote contact with any machine and make an initial diagnosis for servicing. This can cover functions from analysing technical problems and altering performance parameters to uploading whole programs. By using the RSA, both the customer and Miele work together to reduce downtime and service costs significantly and avoid unnecessary call-outs.

At Girbau UK, managing director Peter Marsh takes up the environmental theme and says that the customers’ increased concern is reflected in its latest generation of washers. “Public sector and commercial organisations alike are responding to pressure to improve energy efficiency and reduce the impacts on the environment.”

The materials used in the manufacture of 6 Series washers are recyclable, but no sacrifice has been made in Girbau’s reputation for quality manufacture established over the past 40 years. The 6 series prototypes passed the life tests to which they were submitted, including over 40million cycles.

Available in three models with capacities of up to 8kg, 13kg and 17kg, the HS6 series washers reach spin speeds of up to 1,000rpm and their wash process has been specifically designed to optimise the use of water and energy.

“By using less water, while still providing excellent washing, HS6 series washers use less detergent and thermal energy as well as reducing filling time,” says Marsh.

The 8kg model (HS-6008) has already been named the most energy-efficient in its class by the USA body Energy Star. Tests carried out by Energy Star on the HS6008 washer showed the machine uses less electricity and water than other manufacturers’ machines. This model was proved to consume the least energy based on an estimated 392 washes per year or eight loads per week.

Girbau UK’s Marsh says: “The 6 Series washers were conceived to be market leaders in providing cost effective washing with minimal environmental impact.

“I believe the Energy Star ranking validates Girbau’s ongoing commitment to leadership in environmental standards.”

He adds that sales support is important. “Here at Girbau UK we believe an outstanding customer support service is essential to meet our ambitious growth plans. Uninterrupted operation is essential for many of our customers from laundries to care homes. That is why we invested heavily in people and equipment to further improve our service operation.”


Miele dispensing system Miele dispensing system
Girbau Energy Star Girbau Energy Star


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