Vacuum systems for car washes
WITH THE RIGHT VACUUM SYSTEM FOR THE APPROPRIATE CAR WASH CONCEPT
The car cleaning business has grown significantly in recent years. More and more car wash operators are looking for a suitable washing concept to attract new customers and retain existing customers.
This raises the question of a suitable wash system concept for many car wash owners. This includes the right vacuum system. In this context, it is necessary to consider whether free or chargeable vacuum systems should be installed and whether a self-service vacuum cleaner or a central car vacuum cleaner is suitable.
THE RIGHT VACUUM SYSTEM FOR YOUR WASHING SYSTEM
FREE OR CHARGEABLE VACUUM SYSTEMS?
For many customers, the cleanliness of the interior is now just as important as the body - whether the self-service car wash of your choice is now operated at a filling station, as a car wash plant or as an stand-alone car wash. For decades, self-service vacuum cleaners or central car vacuum cleaners have been used for interior cleaning for this reason.
Many operators ask themselves two questions:
- Do we offer free or chargeable vacuuming?
- How many vacuuming stations do we have to set up in our car wash?
All companies that do business have the following in common: investments must be worthwhile and amortise after a certain period of time. This also applies in the carwash sector, but there are two different opinions here. Some swear by free vacuuming, and others by chargeable vacuuming with central systems.
FREE CAR VACUUMING: MORE POPULAR THAN EVER
In principle, it may be said that the use of free car vacuums is much higher than with pay vacuums. For pay vacuums, the average usage is between about 35 % and 50 % of car wash customers. Free vacuum systems, however, have a utilisation of about 65 % to 80 %. It should also be noted that vacuuming stations in halls are more heavily used than in the open air, and that more space is needed on the site if free vacuum station concepts are used.
HOW MANY VACUUM CLEANERS DOES A CAR WASH NEED?
There is a simple calculation method to provide sufficient space for car wash customers, depending on whether vacuuming is chargeable or free.
Relevant parameters for the calculation are:
- Free / pay concept
- Number of washes per hour
- Use of vacuum stations by car wash customers
- Capacity per vacuum per hour
Taking into account the aforementioned parameters, the following table can be created:
Calculation example:
A car wash operator who offers chargeable vacuuming, washes 50 cars per hour, and expects about 20 minutes to be spent vacuuming, needs 8 stations.
THE PERFECT CAR WASH SYSTEM CONCEPT
It is important that you follow a clear line in your vacuuming concept - whether it is a free or a pay system. If there is too little space available at the location for a free vacuuming system, this has a negative effect on the overall concept. Traffic jams and dissatisfied customers are inevitable in such a case, and do not lead to the hoped-for growth in revenue. Therefore, accurate planning and a suitable car wash concept in this growing market are indispensable.
CENTRAL VACUUMING OR SELF-SERVICE VACUUMING?
When does central vacuuming pay off? What advantages does a central vacuuming system have over a self-service vacuum? These questions are increasingly being asked by smaller and medium-sized companies.
A central vacuuming unit with a filter unit, side channel compressor and controller is supplied as a compact unit. It can also be placed outdoors, and up to 8 vacuum units can be connected depending on power. Due to the piping and installation, the investment costs are higher compared to the self-service vacuum cleaner (single station and dual station vacuums), but a central vacuum has many advantages.
BENEFITS OF CENTRAL CAR VACUUM COMPARED WITH SELF-SERVICE VACUUM
- Better vacuuming result because of automatic suction power control
- Weatherproof and sound proofed
- Pre-separation by integrated cyclone separation system
- Automatic filter cleaning of the high quality filter cartridge
- High quality components such as side channel compressor
- Less space required
- Easier dust removal in one place only
- Enormous amount of work saved compared with emptying individual vacuum cleaners
- Lower maintenance expenses compared to single station vacuum cleaners
- Better energy efficiency
So don’t be fooled by the supposedly lower prices for self-service vacuums. Before you buy a self-service vacuum cleaner, you should consider the other aspects and decide whether a self-service vacuum or a central car vacuum cleaner would suit your business better.
ESTA CAR VACUUM CCCS
Powerful, flexible and durable: the CENTRAL CAR CLEANING SYSTEM (CCCS 2.0) from ESTA is an ideal extension for filling stations, car washes and car wash plants.
The compact vacuuming unit is weatherproof and therefore ideal for outdoor use. Whether as a new unit or as a replacement for existing single station vacuum systems: the easy-to-use, high-efficiency and cost-effective interior cleaning system for cars is characterised by its low maintenance and thus minimal maintenance costs. The modular system can be extended to up to eight wash stations. and offers your customers an excellent cleaning experience.
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