[ams6110]

Solar water heating seems like a no-brainer for a laundromat. Most are in strip malls or freestanding box-type buildings with a lot of flat open roof space.

Article also didn't seem to mention cost of emplying attendants. Never seen an unattended laundromat -- people need help with jammed coins, etc. and to prevent vandalism.

[danielparks]

I don't remember seeing any attended laundromats when I lived in SF in 2013. I was in the Nob Hill area.

Somebody did come by to close them, and there was generally a number you could call if a machine ate your quarters.

When I moved to Portland I was impressed by all the apartments with in-building washers. I quickly realized they were a necessity here since there are very few laundromats.

[icebraining]

In Europe, all laundromats I've seen were unattended :)

[Broken_Hippo]

Most I've went to only have an attendent during part of the week, and some have no staff on hand at all. After attendant hours, you gotta call if you have problems. Vandalism was a problem, as is theft, but paying staff - especially in 24hour places - is more expensive.

[EADGBE]

Yeah, they give you an un-answered phone number to call in case of a jam.

[jandrese]

I've never been in a laundromat with an attendant.