Freeloader™ - AWWRS FAQ
- Why are there different versions?
- What if I need a bigger System?
- Why would I use FreeLoader™ instead of a chiller or cooling tower?
- Why doesn't FreeLoader™ use an accumulator?
- What if the system breaks down? Will I be unable to do laundry?
- Will it break down?
- How much water does it save? Will it cut my water bill in half?
- Is it expensive?
- Is it approved?
- What if I need to use soft water and my dry cleaning machine is connected to hard water?
- What about cold and hot water?
- Can I use FreeLoader™ and get rid of my water heater?
- What happens to the water if I am not using it in the laundry one day?
- What if I do all my laundry in the morning and dry cleaning in the afternoon? Or vice-versa?
- What has to be done to install FreeLoader™?
- Will it fit in the basement? I have a very small doorway?
- What if I purchase FreeLoader™ and then find that the tank is not large enough?
- Do you ship to the USA and what about electrical approvals?
- Is there any maintenance required?
Why are there different versions?
The single pump version (FL115S) is for small applications where there might be only one or two washers being supplied. When the washer calls for water, the pump automatically turns on. The Ultra-Slim single pump (FL115U) is for installation where floor space is at a premium. The dual pump systems (FL230D and FL230DHC) are for two or more washer extractors. If one washer calls for water, only one pump turns on. If more washers call for water, the system automatically senses that it cannot supply enough water and the secondary pump comes on to assist. This prevents the system from using too much electricity when only one washer is calling for water.
Back to TopWhat if I need a bigger System?
FreeLoader™ is an extremely scalable system. There are designs available that can provide larger pumps and/or tanks. The system can also be scaled up in the number of pumps. Systems with progressive secondary and tertiary pumps are in the works.
Back to TopWhy would I use FreeLoader™ instead of a chiller or cooling tower?
FreeLoader™ is a good economic and environmental choice. Chillers (closed circuit refrigerated systems) use power all day long. Not only is there a pump constantly
running to keep the fluid moving, but there is also a refrigeration system and fan consuming power. And if there is a leak in either the Freon circuit or glycol
circuit, you are risking an environmental hazard.
Cooling towers are also a poor choice as not only do they use power all day but they are also very unstable due to the way they cool the system.
A chiller relies on ambient outdoor temperature as well as humidity to cool the system. In the winter time, you will get cooling that may be too cold and in the summer,
it may not be able to keep up with the machine requirements. Cooling towers also need maintenance of the cooling water to prevent bacterial growth.
FreeLoader™ only uses power when water is called for and is unaffected by weather conditions. Your dry cleaning machine will always receive fresh cool water from the
city just as it does now and since FreeLoader™ will pump the water to the laundry, you will not have the pressure drop to the dry cleaning machine when the washers are filling.
The only time that a chiller or cooling tower is suitable for a dry cleaning machine is when there isn’t a need for the cooling water somewhere else in the plant.
This would be in a plant where there isn’t any laundry being processed. Since this is rarely the case, practically all dry cleaning plants should install a FreeLoader™
instead of a chiller or cooling tower.
Why doesn't FreeLoader™ use an accumulator?
Part of the elegance of FreeLoader™ is its extremely simple design. It took over a year to come up with the system. Due to the unreliable nature of other systems, an accumulator was out of the question. FreeLoader™ does not require an accumulator to keep pressure supplied to the washer valves. Accumulators tend to leak and often require charging up to keep their settings. FreeLoader™ uses the municipal water pressure to keep the line pressurized. As long as there is water in the storage tank, FreeLoader™ never actually uses the municipal water. As soon as water is called for, the municipal water is immediately turned off and FreeLoader™ takes over.
Back to TopWhat if the system breaks down? Will I be unable to do laundry?
This is another benefit of FreeLoader™. The system is designed in such a way that you can pull the plug and you will still get water to your laundry. It will be the cold municipal water rather than the reclaimed water but you will still be in business.
Back to TopWill it break down?
Every machine can break down. When we designed and wrote the specifications for FreeLoader™, we were very particular about the quality that went into it. The system is so simple that breakdowns are highly unlikely. The components are all of the best quality from highly reliable companies. We use a Gould ITT pump, Asco solenoid valve as well as all galvanized, brass and stainless steel piping. The enclosure is water tight and all connectors are grommetted.
Back to TopHow much water does it save? Will it cut my water bill in half?
FreeLoader™ may not cut your water bill in half but it will come close. Regardless though, one of the operations in your plant will become free. Either the dry cleaning machine or the washer will use the most water in a day. And other days it will be the opposite. The process that uses the least water becomes the free operation. You see, if the dry cleaning machine uses more water than the washers use, it has to go somewhere. In this case it will go down the drain. If the laundry uses more water than the dry cleaning machine passes to FreeLoader™, you are in a good situation. Your dry cleaning machine has become 100% off the grid (so to speak) and most of the energy that went into the water is now being used by your wash loads.
Back to TopIs it expensive?
That was another requirement when putting the system together. We know that business is tough out there. Along with the simplicity in the design is efficiency in cost. Not only is there very little to break down in FreeLoader™ but there is also very little to pay for. Typical pay back period for a FreeLoader™ should be in the one to two year time frame. Some have reported periods as short as six months to pay the unit off.
Back to TopIs it approved?
FreeLoader™ is inspected and approved by the Electrical Safety Authority to CSA Standards. Home-made systems and other solutions may not have inspection and can result in fires (which your insurance won’t cover) or an inspector fining you and shutting down your business. Qualified electricians will not install a system unless it has the ESA sticker.
Back to TopWhat if I need to use soft water and my dry cleaning machine is connected to hard water?
When you are having FreeLoader™ installed, your dry cleaning machine can either be connected to your soft water or FreeLoader™ can supply water to your water softener. Since the water that is now going to your dry cleaning machine is going to be used by your laundry, there is no additional load on your water softener. You will also have the benefit of reduced scale build up in your dry cleaning machine cooling coils (still and refrigeration condenser) if you connect the dry cleaning machine to soft water.
Back to TopWhat about cold and hot water?
With the output from FreeLoader™ feeding your hot water tank, you will get extremely high efficiency from your water heater as well as very fast recovery time. The cold water to your laundry can also come from FreeLoader™ as long as you do not insist on really cold water. For example, the water that comes out of the dry cleaning machine is warm to the touch. On occasion, it is cool and often it is fairly warm. Considering that the water is going into the storage tank and mixing together you will get reasonably consistent water temperature out of the FreeLoader™. Cold water as opposed to room temperature water is all about saving energy, not colour bleeds. Most if not all clothes can be washed in warm water as is evidenced by them being worn by people at nearly one-hundred-degrees Fahrenheit and people sweat.
Back to TopCan I use FreeLoader™ and get rid of my water heater?
Yes and no. As long as the dry cleaning machine can keep up with the laundry consumption, there will always be water in the FreeLoader™ tank. This water will be at around room temperature. Many cleaners do not use hot water at all so cleaning will definitely be improved over cold only. If you absolutely must have warm or hot water for your wash, you should keep the water heater. Also consider that if the dry cleaning machine does not pass enough water to FreeLoader™, you will get cold city water when the tank is empty.
Back to TopWhat happens to the water if I am not using it in the laundry one day?
FreeLoader™ is designed to handle this requirement. The size of the tank is configurable to your needs. Should you not be using the water for an extended period of time, FreeLoader™ will allow the water to overflow to a regular drain. You will not be saving water but it does not require you to manage it either.
Back to TopWhat if I do all my laundry in the morning and dry cleaning in the afternoon? Or vice-versa?
The total water put through the dry cleaning machine will affect whether you have FreeLoader™ water available for your laundry. In order to ensure that you have enough water available, you might need to go to a larger tank or multiple tanks. This will allow you to buffer water in storage and use it later on.
Back to TopWhat has to be done to install FreeLoader™?
There are numerous ways to connect FreeLoader™. Please visit our website Hook Up Diagrams to view the many variations on installation. You can also contact us directly and we will either email them or fax them.
Back to TopWill it fit in the basement? I have a very small doorway?
FreeLoader™ was designed to fit in practically any facility. The FL115S/P 150 gallon tank is less than 31" in diameter and should fit through any doorway and there are other tanks available for special circumstances. FreeLoader™ can also be ordered with the pump module resting on top of the tank (FL115P Piggyback) therefore freeing up floor space.
Back to TopWhat if I purchase FreeLoader™ and then find that the tank is not large enough?
The FreeLoader™ is a modular system that can be expanded upon. If you require more storage capacity, tanks can be added on creating a tank farm.
Back to TopDo you ship to the USA and what about electrical approvals?
Yes, we will ship into the USA and the electrical approval does carry the CSA rating. If needed though we can have a higher level inspection performed but there will be an additional cost. Most areas in the US will not require this though and the approval that we provide will suffice. You will need to consult with your local electrician.
Back to TopIs there any maintenance required?
FreeLoader™ is a set it and forget it system. The bearings are sealed for life and no other components require upkeep.
Back to Top |
Freeloader™The Freeloader™ Automatic Waste Water Recovery System |
