Typical laundry energy consumption
Consumption is closely tied to throughput volume, meaning a laundry processing hotel or care home linen at scale will use considerably more energy than a smaller dry cleaning or self-service laundrette.
| Laundry type | Electricity (kWh/yr) | Gas (kWh/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Small dry cleaner/self-service laundrette | 20,000 - 50,000 | 10,000 - 30,000 |
| Mid-size commercial laundry | 100,000 - 300,000 | 150,000 - 400,000 |
| Large industrial laundry (hotel/healthcare contracts) | 300,000 - 700,000+ | 400,000 - 900,000+ |
What drives the cost
- Industrial washing machines heating large volumes of water per cycle
- Tumble dryers running for extended periods at high temperature
- Steam-based ironing and finishing equipment in larger operations
- Water softening and treatment systems supporting wash quality
- Extraction and ventilation to manage heat and humidity in the laundry area
Gas versus electricity split
In laundries using gas-fired boilers for hot water and steam generation, gas often represents the larger share of total energy spend, sometimes 55 to 70 percent. Fully electric laundries shift this balance towards electricity, but generally at a higher unit cost per unit of heat generated.
Throughput and continuous operation
Larger commercial laundries, particularly those servicing hotel or healthcare linen contracts, often run equipment for extended shifts or continuously to meet turnaround requirements, creating one of the more consistent, high base-load demand profiles among small and medium commercial sectors.
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Standing charges and metering
Given the scale of equipment involved, mid-size and larger laundries typically require higher capacity electricity and gas connections, reflected in higher standing charges than most other small business sectors. Many qualify for half-hourly electricity settlement.
Contract length and renewal timing
One to three year fixed contracts are common, with larger operations sometimes negotiating bespoke terms given the scale of consumption. Renewal comparisons should begin 4 to 6 months ahead of contract end given the complexity of quoting for high-consumption sites.
How to compare laundry energy prices
- Provide throughput volume alongside consumption data for accurate quoting
- Confirm whether hot water and steam generation are gas or electric
- Check standing charge and capacity requirements given equipment scale
- Request bespoke quotes for larger operations rather than standard small business tariffs