Laundry Facility Energy Efficiency Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]

Commercial laundry facilities are among the most energy-intensive operations in the service sector, consuming significant amounts of electricity, natural gas, and water. The EPA's ENERGY STAR program and local utility regulations increasingly require documented energy audits to qualify for rebates and demonstrate compliance with state efficiency mandates. Regular energy efficiency audits help facility managers identify equipment underperformance, reduce operational costs, and support environment

  • Industry: Commercial Laundry
  • Frequency: Quarterly
  • Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Role: Plant Manager
  • Total Items: 35
  • Compliance: EPA ENERGY STAR Commercial Laundry Guidelines 40 CFR Part 82, ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings, NFPA 32 Standard for Dry Cleaning Plants (2021 Edition), DOE 10 CFR Part 431 Energy Efficiency Standards for Commercial Equipment, State Air Quality Regulations Title V Operating Permits

Washing Equipment Energy Performance

Assess washer-extractors and tunnel washers for energy efficiency, load optimization, and mechanical condition.

  • Are all washer-extractors operating at or above their rated load capacity per cycle?
  • Are high-spin extraction speeds (minimum 200-400 G-force) being utilized to reduce drying energy?
  • Are cold or warm water wash cycles being used where fabrics permit?
  • Is the wash cycle programming last reviewed and updated within the past 12 months?
  • Are washer door seals and drum gaskets free from visible cracks or leaks?

Dryer and Finishing Equipment Efficiency

Evaluate gas and electric dryers, ironers, and flatwork finishers for optimal energy consumption.

  • Are dryers equipped with functional moisture sensors to automatically terminate cycles?
  • Are dryer lint filters cleaned at least once per shift to maintain airflow efficiency?
  • Are exhaust ducts from dryers inspected and cleaned quarterly for lint buildup?
  • Is dryer exhaust heat recovery equipment installed and operational?
  • Are flatwork ironers and tunnel finishers scheduled to auto-shutdown during idle periods exceeding 15 minutes?

Water Heating Systems

Inspect boilers, water heaters, and heat exchangers for energy efficiency and proper temperature settings.

  • Is hot water supply temperature set within the recommended range of 120-140°F?
  • Are hot water pipe and boiler insulation jackets intact and free from gaps or damage?
  • Is a heat recovery system in place to preheat incoming cold water using drain water heat?
  • Has the boiler or water heater been serviced and tuned within the past 12 months?
  • Is the water heater thermostat set accurately and verified with an independent thermometer?

Lighting and HVAC Systems

Review lighting efficiency, occupancy controls, and HVAC operation for energy waste reduction.

  • Has the facility replaced all incandescent or fluorescent lighting with LED fixtures?
  • Are occupancy sensors or timers installed in low-traffic areas such as storage rooms and restrooms?
  • Is HVAC equipment (filters, coils, belts) serviced on a documented quarterly maintenance schedule?
  • Are make-up air units for dryer ventilation properly balanced to minimize excess conditioned air loss?
  • Are programmable or smart thermostats installed and using optimized setback schedules?

Water Conservation and Metering

Assess water usage efficiency, metering accuracy, and leak prevention practices.

  • Is water consumption tracked per pound of laundry processed using metered data?
  • Are water-level controls on all washers set correctly to match actual load size?
  • Have all visible plumbing connections, valves, and hoses been inspected for leaks within the past 30 days?
  • Is a water softening or filtration system in use to prevent scale buildup in heating elements?
  • Are water meters read and recorded weekly to detect abnormal consumption spikes?

Motors, Pumps, and Compressed Air Systems

Evaluate motor efficiency ratings, pump performance, and compressed air system integrity.

  • Are all major motors (1 HP and above) rated at NEMA Premium Efficiency or equivalent?
  • Are variable frequency drives (VFDs) installed on large pump and fan motors where applicable?
  • Is the compressed air system pressure set at the minimum effective operating pressure?
  • Has the compressed air system been audited for leaks using ultrasonic detection within the past year?

Energy Monitoring and Documentation

Verify energy data collection, benchmarking practices, and compliance documentation are current.

  • Is the facility enrolled in or benchmarked against the EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager system?
  • Are monthly utility bills analyzed and compared against prior-year consumption data?
  • Are energy efficiency improvement actions from the previous audit documented and tracked?
  • Has staff received energy awareness training within the past 12 months?
  • Are there documented energy reduction targets with measurable KPIs for the current year?
  • Please provide any additional energy efficiency observations or notes for this audit period.

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Why Use This Laundry Facility Energy Efficiency Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This laundry facility energy efficiency audit checklist [free pdf] helps commercial laundry teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for plant manager professionals, this checklist covers 35 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: quarterly.

Ensures compliance with EPA ENERGY STAR Commercial Laundry Guidelines 40 CFR Part 82, ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings, NFPA 32 Standard for Dry Cleaning Plants (2021 Edition), DOE 10 CFR Part 431 Energy Efficiency Standards for Commercial Equipment, State Air Quality Regulations Title V Operating Permits. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Laundry Facility Energy Efficiency Audit Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 35 inspection items across 7 sections: Washing Equipment Energy Performance, Dryer and Finishing Equipment Efficiency, Water Heating Systems, Lighting and HVAC Systems, Water Conservation and Metering, Motors, Pumps, and Compressed Air Systems, Energy Monitoring and Documentation. It is designed for commercial laundry operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed quarterly. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Who should use this Laundry Facility Energy Efficiency Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Plant Manager professionals in the commercial laundry industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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