Enter your machine mix and average daily turns per machine, plus local utility rates (water $/gal, sewer surcharge, gas $/therm, electric $/kWh). The calculator returns monthly utility cost broken out by utility type, cost-per-turn for each machine class, and the total utility burden as a percent of gross revenue. Industry healthy range is 20–28% of revenue — above 32% is a red flag for inefficiency or aged equipment.
Why It Matters
Utilities are the second-largest operating cost at most laundromats (after rent). A 1995 Speed Queen 30-lb washer uses about 24 gallons per cycle; a 2024 Speed Queen 30-lb uses about 10 gallons. At $0.012 per gallon water + sewer combined, that's $0.17 per cycle savings — across 50 turns/day for 365 days, $3,100/year per machine. The calculator quantifies this for your specific equipment.
Acquisition Use Case
Buyers should run the utility calculator on the equipment list of any acquisition target before signing LOI. Pull the seller's actual utility bills (the calculator output should match within ±15%). Big variances mean the seller is over-stating revenue, mis-stating machine count, or running an off-the-books water/gas situation — all red flags worth investigating before close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find my local utility rates?
Your municipal water utility website (usually labeled 'rates' or 'tariffs'). Gas and electric rates are on your monthly bill. The calculator includes city-level rate defaults for the 50 largest US metros — small market and rural users should enter their actual rates for accuracy.
Does it model heat-recovery dryers?
Yes. Heat-recovery dryers (Continental Genius, Dexter, Speed Queen Quantum on certain models) typically save 25–35% on gas cost. The calculator applies this savings when you select heat-recovery models from the dropdown.
What does it cost?
Free. Save and export with a free WashBizHub account. For comprehensive operating cost modeling including labor, marketing, and supplies, use the Break-Even Calculator.