High efficiency washers and dryers have been saving the university big bucks.
Ohio State has been working with ASI Campus Laundry Solutions, headquartered in Dayton, to supply dorms with water-saving washers and energy-efficient dryers since 1995.
ASI washers use approximately 18 to 20 gallons less water than the average washing machine, said David Drake, vice president of ASI Campus Laundry Solutions.
“We estimate that we save 4 million gallons of water per year by using water-efficient washers,” said Molly Ranz-Calhoun, an Office of Student Life spokeswoman.
The water savings is large compared to the average washing machine.
The average washing machine uses 55 gallons of water per load, according to a government report on water conservation.
OSU pays approximately 5 cents per cubic foot of water, according to university records. At that price, Ranz-Calhoun said OSU averages a savings of $28,000 annually.
“There is no cost for washers and dryers for the university,” Ranz-Calhoun said.
Under the current contract, set to expire June 2013, OSU receives a 68 percent sales commission on more than 460 washers and dryers throughout campus. In the 2008 fiscal year, university commission was more than $442,000, Ranz-Calhoun said.
OSU charges $1.50 per wash and $1 for dryers in dormitories.
The profits that the Office of Student Life receive from their agreement with ASI is re-invested in residence halls for renovations and operational costs, Ranz-Calhoun said.
Many Ohio colleges use ASI services, including Kent State University and Miami University.
Collectively, colleges throughout Ohio save more than 20 million gallons annually with the use of ASI washing machines, Drake said.
ASI has expanded operations to major national campuses, such as the University of Texas, Indiana University and the University of Florida.
“People don’t realize the impact that water-saving washers have on sustainability,” Drake said. “It really adds up.”
Marc Feher can be reached at [email protected].
