Laundry rooms go high efficiency, high tech

BY ADRIENNE FRANK

AU students are saving the planet, one spin cycle at a time.

The university’s 58 laundry rooms have gotten an earth-friendly makeover with the installation of 278 high-efficiency Maytag washers and dryers. The washers, which hold 32 percent more clothes than the old machines, will save 18 gallons of water per load or 2 million gallons per year—enough water to fulfill the drinking needs of the AU community for two years.

The laundry facilities, which received a fresh paint job and new lighting and floors over the summer, have also gone high tech.

Through the online laundry service e-Suds, students can check the availability of machines on their computers. When their laundry is done, students are notified by cell phone, e-mail, or PDA.

According to Julie Weber, director of Housing and Dining Programs, AU is the first campus in the D.C. area to adopt the e-Suds technology.

“We’ve been getting such a great reaction. Kids love it and parents say, ‘Wow, how can I get that at home?’”

The new machines, supplied by Virginia-based Caldwell and Gregory, which has a five-year service contract with AU, were unveiled Tuesday to a group of resident advisors at McDowell Hall. AU’s mascot, Clawed the Eagle, demonstrated how to use the washing machines with a little help from Hardy Rawls and Mark Devine, who play Ol’ Lonely and The Apprentice on the Maytag ads.

As the RA’s cheered and applauded, Weber assured the students they won’t have to worry about damaged clothing or sub-par service under Caldwell and Gregory.

“I asked them if they repair dents in the machines. They said yes, they would, but they don’t have many dents to worry about because no one kicks the machines.”