A cleaning process that uses water, specialized equipment, and detergents to clean “dry clean only” garments, using less energy.
From a fact sheet by the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) reference in Additional Information:
"A wet cleaning system is made up of sophisticated equipment, including washing machines that simulate handwashing and dryers that don’t overdry. Tensioning finishers ensure jackets, pants, and other structured garments are properly finished without shrinking.Wet cleaning cleans better than perc [PERC: perchlorethylene -- the chemical most commonly used in dry cleaning]. It has been shown to to produce whiter whites, is easier to remove water based stains, and performs better than perc for some items such as heavily soiled garments.Wet cleaning significantly reduces or eliminates human health and environmental concerns and their liability often seen with perc and other alternatives. Perc is a known carcinogen and can affect dry cleaning workers and apartment residents living near and above dry cleaners."
Status:
Baseline Description:
"Typical" Savings: 60% Low and High Energy Savings: 50% to 65% Energy Savings Reliability: 3 - Limited Assessment
This savings value is estimated from Figure 1 on the SMUD Technology Brief on the technology. (SMUD, 2010 Pg 1)
Simple payback, new construction (years): N/A
Simple payback, retrofit (years): N/A
Cost Effectiveness is calculated using baseline energy use, best estimate of typical energy savings, and first cost. It does not account for factors such as impacts on O&M costs (which could be significant if product life is greatly extended) or savings of non-electric fuels such as natural gas. Actual overall cost effectiveness could be significantly different based on these other factors.
SMUD, 1/1/2010. Technology Brief: Professional Wet Cleaning Sacramento Municipal Utility District Special Notes: As of publication, SMUD offered a utility rebate for implementing this technology.
NYSP2I, 12/08/2011. NYSP2I New York State Pollution Prevention Institute
NYSP2I, 01/01/2012. Professional Wet Cleaning Program New York State Pollution Prevention Institute
Peter Sinsheimer, 06/29/2010. Wet Cleaning Report Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Technical Advisory Group: 2014 Commercial Building TAG (#9) TAG Ranking: 44 out of 44 Technologies (2014 Commercial TAG strategies ranked separately) Average TAG Rating: 1.53 out of 5 TAG Ranking Date: 03/17/2014 TAG Rating Commentary: Based on my understanding this falls outside the definition of Deep Retrofits in existing buildings. This technology would fall under 'equipment standards' In addition, also important for human health and environmental impacts. Not focused on commercial building application.