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How to choose laundry machines by running cost, not just the price
By the Labahan team · October 18, 2026 · 4 min read
The cheapest washer on the quotation is not always the cheapest washer to own. A machine runs thousands of loads, and every load uses electricity, water and, for gas dryers, LPG. Over a few years those small amounts can add up to more than the price tag. Compare machines by what they cost to buy and run, then check who will fix them.
The formula
Running cost per load = electricity + water + gas (LPG) per cycle
Ask the supplier for each model’s spec sheet: kWh per cycle, liters of water per cycle, and gas use for dryers. Then use the rates on your own electricity, water and LPG bills. Rates differ by area and change often, so don’t copy someone else’s numbers.
A worked example
Example figures only, not real models or real prices. Two washer-and-dryer sets for a shop doing 500 loads a month (6,000 a year, 30,000 in 5 years). Example rates: ₱12.50 per kWh, ₱0.05 per liter of water (₱50 per cubic meter), ₱100 per kg of LPG.
| Per load | Set A | Set B |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 0.8 kWh = ₱10 | 0.56 kWh = ₱7 |
| Water | 120 L = ₱6 | 80 L = ₱4 |
| LPG (dryer) | 0.14 kg = ₱14 | 0.11 kg = ₱11 |
| Running cost per load | ₱30 | ₱22 |
| × 30,000 loads in 5 years | ₱900,000 | ₱660,000 |
| + Purchase price | ₱180,000 | ₱240,000 |
| Total cost over 5 years | ₱1,080,000 | ₱900,000 |
When does the dearer set pay off? The extra ₱60,000 is recovered at ₱8 saved per load after 60,000 ÷ 8 = 7,500 loads, about 15 months at 500 loads a month. If your shop will do far fewer loads, the gap shrinks, so run the formula with your own expected volume. Our cost per load guide shows how to work out the rest of your costs.
Beyond running cost: who will fix it?
A machine that is down for two weeks waiting for a part loses you sales and suki. Before choosing, ask:
- Parts availability. Are common parts (belts, door seals, pumps, control boards) stocked in the Philippines, or ordered from abroad? How long does an imported part take?
- Technician response time. How many hours or days until a technician reaches your town? Is there a service center nearby, or only in Manila or Cebu?
- Warranty. Is it valid for commercial use, and does it cover labor or only parts? See what warranties usually don’t cover.
- Ease of cleaning. Lint filters and drain filters you can reach easily get cleaned more often.
- Other shop owners. Ask owners nearby which brands their technicians can actually service.
Get the capacity mix right
Not every machine should be the same size. Most loads are everyday clothes, but comforters, blankets and curtains need a bigger drum. One larger washer and dryer for bulky items lets you accept those jobs without overloading the regular machines, which strains them and leaves bulky items poorly washed and damp. Count your dryers carefully too: drying usually takes longer than washing, so dryers often decide how many loads you finish a day. Work out your daily capacity here.
| Example mix | Good for |
|---|---|
| 3 regular washers + 3 regular dryers | Everyday clothes, school uniforms, towels |
| 1 large washer + 1 large dryer | Comforters, blankets, curtains, bulk orders |
| Extra dryer (optional) | Keeps drying from becoming the bottleneck |
Example only. Your mix depends on what your customers bring.
Buying second-hand machines
Used commercial machines can save money at the start, but you also take on more risk. Usually there is no factory warranty left, and parts for older models may be hard to find.
- Get the brand, model and year
- Ask if parts are still sold for that model
- Ask why it is being sold
- Run a full wash and a full dry cycle
- Listen for grinding or banging at spin
- Spin the empty drum by hand: no wobble or play
- Check door seal, hoses and belts for cracks
- Look for rust, leaks and burnt smells
- Check the dryer heats and the gas burner lights properly
- Get a receipt with model and serial number
- Ask for service records
- Agree in writing on any seller guarantee
How Labahan helps
In Labahan Manager, you set the cycle time for each machine and staff pick the machine when a load starts, so the Board shows which washers and dryers are free, running or done. The machine log keeps each machine’s repairs, notes and next service date, which tells you over time which machines cost you the most downtime. On Pro, expenses by category and cost per load help you see your real running costs month by month.
