Laundromat Energy Procurement in Illinois
Last reviewed: 7/31/2026
By Illinois Commercial Energy editorial team · Reviewed by JakenEnergy commercial energy team
Laundromats are one of the most natural-gas-intensive small-commercial accounts: water heating and gas dryers run heavily through long operating hours. For Illinois laundromat owners, the natural gas account is usually where procurement attention belongs, with electricity handled alongside.
Who this is for
Owners and operators of Illinois laundromats and coin/card laundry businesses, including multi-location operators. These are gas-heavy accounts where energy is a core operating cost.
The laundromat load profile
- Heavy natural gas — water heating for washers and gas-fired dryers are the dominant loads, running close to continuously in a busy store. The gas utility depends on location: Nicor, Peoples, or North Shore.
- Electricity for the machines, lighting, controls, and any card systems.
- Long, often unattended hours that keep both commodities working.
Gas is usually the priority
Because gas is such a large share of a laundromat's energy, procuring commercial natural gas is typically the first move. Confirm the gas utility from a recent bill, since the territory determines whether and how supplier choice applies (and note that Ameren gas territory uses transportation service rather than a standard supplier-choice program).
Multi-location operators
Operators with several locations are best handled as a grouped multi-location procurement, grouping by gas utility and aligning renewals.
Getting started
Provide a recent gas and electric bill per location (a year of usage helps), and the account or group can be reviewed and priced on matched terms through the procurement process. No savings figure is promised in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
QIs a laundromat more of a gas or electric account?
Natural gas usually dominates — water heating for washers and gas-fired dryers are the largest loads, and both run heavily during long operating hours. Electricity runs the machines, lighting, and controls. Because gas is such a large share, gas procurement is often the priority, with the gas utility (Nicor, Peoples, or North Shore) confirmed from a bill.
QWhy does gas matter so much for a laundromat?
Every wash cycle heats water and every dry cycle uses gas heat, so a busy laundromat runs its gas load close to continuously. That makes the natural gas account a real cost center where supplier choice, where available, is worth evaluating.
QDo multi-location laundromat operators procure better together?
Yes. Operators with several Illinois locations can group accounts by utility and align renewals. Because laundromats are gas-heavy, a portfolio review usually centers on the gas accounts, with electricity handled alongside.
Related guides
Sources
Next scheduled review: 10/31/2026. Time-sensitive rate, tariff, capacity, and incentive details should be confirmed against the linked primary sources and a current bill.