World's Largest Laundromat runs on solar power

Found under "Odd News"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060606/od_afp/afplifestyleus_060606145153


BERWYN, Illinois (AFP) - The most popular feature of the self-proclaimed World's Largest Laundromat is not the massive machines that wash eight loads at a time. It is the aviary.

ttp://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/afp/20060606/capt.sge.dtl88.060606145110.photo00.photo.default-512x293.jpg

Benson figures the 36 panels save him about 2,000 dollars a month in energy costs by shouldering the bulk of the work of heating the water for his 157 washing machines, which run 24 hours a day.

"It's such a good idea business-wise and conservation-wise that they should make it the law," he said.



Wednesdays are typically slow in the laundry world, but Benson draws customers with free pizza nights where about 150 to 175 people make their way through 35 pizzas. Sundays -- the busiest laundry day -- attract enough people to consume some 15 dozen free donuts.

Benson has also hosted immunization drives and sponsored community projects like a read-to-ride program which encourages children to read over the summer by raffling off a bicycle.

"It's a focus within the community and I think we play a significant role in the community," he said. "It's a place people come as families. I think people feel very comfortable here."

Thanks for the link you gave me...

You're welcome. I think I know the one you mean, but I misspelled it! Here's the right link:

http://www.barbarasher.com/

:-)

Come on people! That big ball in the sky means energy for FREE.... ahhhhhhhhhhh. Now you know why they don't want solar power to expand.

My husband and I only have 3 and somtimes 4 loads a week. But what a great idea.

it sounds me to like this guy needs to start selling franchises.

This appears to be an excellent example of the type of capitalism that truly does make America strong. The guy cares about the community and the world and he STILL makes money!

4 line with cloths pins.

but then I like ironing. :)

:sarcasm:

not solar, but a great place to hang out.. One side was a laundromat and the other was a bar.. You could pay extra and have someone actually DO your launndry while you drank & played pool..(The guys loved that feature)...

If our country was really serious about energy saving, it would install and pay for solar panels everywhere they could.. They would be making solar panels 24-7..and it would cost less to do than all the bogus "studies" they have paid for for 35+ years,

The technology WORKS, but Exxon/Texaco/BP/Chevron/Mobil does not OWN the sun, so they spend billions trying to convince people that it's "not ready for primetime"..