DIV18/54: Energy Management & Sustainability In Cleaning (16 April 2019)

Issue Date: 16 April 2019
Ref: DIV18/54

Energy Management & Sustainability

Cleaning processes typically involve the use of energy, so it follows that adopting alternative products or technologies can lead to savings that support an organisation’s wider sustainability objectives. The changes required can range from simply introducing different cleaning products to implementing completely new ways of working. Along the way there are often additional sustainability benefits to be realised. Diversey offers a complete range of cleaning products, equipment and services that help cleaning teams and organisations meet their objectives.

One of the simplest ways to reduce the energy consumption of any cleaning process is to make sure it is done right first time. Reducing the need for repeat cleaning eliminates the need to heat more water or run a piece of equipment through another cycle, both of which save energy. This means choosing the right product for the specific application, making sure that staff know how to use it properly and ensuring equipment is maintained properly.

Poorly maintained equipment is rarely energy-efficient. For example, when limescale builds up on heating elements and other components within machines used for warewashing or laundry their thermal efficiency – the ability to transfer heat - is reduced. This means more energy is required to heat water up to the optimum operating temperature making the machine less economical. In fact, each millimetre of scale inside the heating element will add around eight to ten per cent on energy costs for a typical commercial machine. Introducing water treatment equipment or cleaning products formulated to prevent or remove the build-up of limescale will offer a good return on investment. Preventing limescale also helps the machine remain reliable so there are fewer unexpected outages and less downtime.

With TASKI scrubber driers, intelligent solutions such as TASKI IntelliFlow and TASKI IntelliDose - available on most models – ensure precise amounts of water and product are always dosed irrespective of machine speed. The machine is always working at optimum efficiency to make the best use of energy available from its battery. This energy efficiency also means less unproductive downtime for charging.

The increasing sophistication of onboard control systems and improvements to component designs ensure higher machine energy efficiency. The latest TASKI scrubber driers can be up to 30% more energy efficient than previous-generation models. It is also important to choose the right machine for the job: too small and it will be overworked and prone to reliability issues; too large and it will be underutilised and inefficient. The choice of batteries and chargers can also help reduce overall energy consumption by up to 25% depending on what is specified.

Similar advances have been made with other cleaning machines. The latest TASKI Aero vacuum cleaners – available in tub and backpack variants with electrical and battery power – incorporate radical new internal mechanisms and components that offer better energy efficiency than older models while also being much quieter. The four models in the tub range for example produce only 53dB(A) of sound and utilise just 585W of electrical power in standard mode yet produce as much cleaning suction as machines rated at 1000W or more. In other words, the same cleaning power or better but at reduced energy consumption with resultant cost savings.

Independent studies have shown that by lowering the laundry wash temperature by 20oC – in combination with the right detergents and programme - can reduce water and energy consumption by up to 35% and extend linen life by more than 30%. Products for warewashing and laundry offer significant savings because they are used in equipment that works for extended periods and potentially consume large amounts of energy. In response, Diversey has reformulated existing products and introduced additions to its range which are effective at lower temperatures.

Sometimes an even more radical approach offers savings. Many building care teams, particularly in healthcare and hospitality, have switched from inefficient mop and bucket cleaning with products to high performance TASKI microfibre cleaning with water alone. This not only saves on the cost of chemical products but also reduces the need to heat water that helps those products work properly.

The message is clear. The choice and application of cleaning products, equipment and services can have a significant impact on energy consumption and wider sustainability objectives.