ROI & Cost Savings
Commercial Cleaning Robot ROI and Cost Savings
Explore how PolarX waterless cleaning robots can help reduce labour pressure, wet-cleaning frequency, water use, wastewater handling and long-term facility operating costs.
Modelled scenarios
Case 1
Labour reduction for a large commercial facility
Case 2
Water, wastewater and maintenance pressure reduction
These examples are provided for commercial planning discussions. Actual results depend on site conditions and operating assumptions.
Case Study 1
Case Study 1: Large Commercial Facility Labour Cost Reduction
A modelled Australian commercial facility scenario showing how Star60 automation can reduce repetitive floor-cleaning labour.
For large commercial facilities, repetitive floor-cleaning work can place sustained pressure on cleaning teams. This model illustrates how Star60 automation may reduce routine labour dependency while staff remain focused on supervision, edge cleaning, incident response and detailed cleaning.
Estimated annual labour saving
AUD $694,054.80
Estimated first-year net benefit
Over AUD $490,000
Estimated payback period
Within 4 months
Estimated cost reduction
Approx. 35%
Base assumptions
Model inputs
Figures are modelled and should be reviewed against each facility's operating conditions.
- Gross floor area
- Approx. 130,000 m²
- Cleaning schedule
- 365 days per year
- Shift length
- 8 hours per person per day
- Baseline hourly wage
- AUD $29.73
- Original cleaning staff requirement
- 23 people per day
- Star60 robots introduced
- 8 units
- Cleaning staff after automation
- 15 people per day
- Estimated robot investment
- Approx. AUD $200,000
Before PolarX Automation
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Total cleaning staff required | 23 people per day |
| Hours per person | 8 hours |
| Total labour hours | 184 hours per day |
| Hourly wage assumption | AUD $29.73 |
| Daily labour cost | AUD $5,469.12 |
| Annual labour cost before automation | AUD $1,996,228.80 |
After Introducing 8 PolarX Star60 Robots
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Cleaning staff after automation | 15 people per day |
| Staff reduction | 8 people |
| Daily labour cost after automation | AUD $3,567.60 |
| Annual labour cost after automation | AUD $1,302,174.00 |
| Estimated annual labour saving | AUD $694,054.80 |
| Estimated first-year net benefit | Over AUD $490,000 |
Cost per Square Metre Reduction
Beyond the numbers
- Lower dependency on manual labour
- More consistent cleaning quality
- Reduced wet-floor downtime
- Reduced disruption during operating hours
- Better long-term floor presentation
- Improved facility maintenance efficiency
- Supports safer and more efficient commercial cleaning operations
The figures above are based on modelled commercial cleaning scenarios and are provided for illustration only. Actual savings may vary depending on floor area, site layout, cleaning frequency, labour rates, staffing structure, equipment configuration, operating hours, floor condition, maintenance requirements, utility costs and other site-specific conditions. These ROI models do not represent guaranteed financial, safety, ESG or operational outcomes.
Product context
ROI depends on the cleaning problem being solved.
Star60 is typically evaluated for daily commercial floor care, instant-dry operation and repetitive labour reduction in open, high-traffic indoor environments. Star50 is evaluated for industrial sweeping, dust control, low-clearance access and warehouse or logistics environments.
Case Study 2
Case Study 2: European Commercial Facility Water and Maintenance Cost Reduction
A modelled 10,000 m² commercial facility scenario showing how waterless daily cleaning can reduce wet-cleaning frequency, water use, wastewater handling, manual cleaning tasks and maintenance pressure.
By reducing wet-cleaning frequency from daily to weekly and using waterless robotic cleaning on the remaining six days, the modelled facility may reduce annual water use, wastewater handling, manual cleaning tasks and wet-system maintenance.
Estimated annual water reduction
250 tonnes
Estimated annual operating cost saving
€7,886 – €12,892
Wet-cleaning events reduced per year
313
Estimated annual carbon reduction
90 – 125 kg CO₂
Base assumptions
Model inputs
Figures are modelled and should be reviewed against each facility's operating conditions.
- Facility type
- European commercial facility
- Floor area
- 10,000 m²
- Traditional wet-cleaning reference
- Small walk-behind scrubber
- Fresh water tank
- 40 L
- Approximate runtime per tank
- 30 minutes
- Practical cleaning efficiency
- up to 1,000 m² per hour
- Estimated water use
- 0.08 L per m²
- Daily wet-cleaning water use
- approx. 800 L
- Previous cleaning frequency
- wet cleaning daily
- Waterless robot model
- wet cleaning reduced to once per week, with waterless robotic wiping, sweeping and vacuuming used on the other six days
- Annual wet-cleaning events avoided
- 365 - 52 = 313
Operating impact model
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Annual water reduction | approx. 250 tonnes |
| Water and wastewater cost saving | €1,000 – €2,250 per year |
| Wet-cleaning handling labour | approx. 1 hour per avoided wet-cleaning event |
| Labour cost including social costs | approx. €20 – €30 per hour |
| Annual labour saving | €6,260 – €9,390 |
| Avoided maintenance scope | water systems, drainage, filters and pump wear |
| Maintenance saving per avoided event | €2 – €4 |
| Annual maintenance saving | €626 – €1,252 |
| Fresh water and wastewater carbon impact | approx. 0.35 – 0.5 kg CO₂ per m³ |
| Estimated annual carbon reduction | approx. 90 – 125 kg CO₂ |
| Low total estimated annual saving | €7,886 per year |
| High total estimated annual saving | €12,892 per year |
ESG-supporting indicator
Carbon reduction is presented as an operating indicator only. It should not be treated as a certification outcome or guaranteed ESG result without site-specific verification.
The figures above are based on modelled commercial cleaning scenarios and are provided for illustration only. Actual savings may vary depending on floor area, site layout, cleaning frequency, labour rates, staffing structure, equipment configuration, operating hours, floor condition, maintenance requirements, utility costs and other site-specific conditions. These ROI models do not represent guaranteed financial, safety, ESG or operational outcomes.
Comparison
Two ROI Models, Two Different Savings Drivers
The strongest business case depends on whether the facility is mainly trying to reduce staffing pressure, reduce wet-cleaning burden, or improve long-term operating stability.
| Case | Main saving driver | Best suited for | Key result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case 1 | Labour reduction | Large commercial facilities with high daily staffing requirements | Approx. AUD $694K estimated annual labour saving |
| Case 2 | Reduced wet-cleaning frequency, water, wastewater, labour handling and maintenance | Commercial facilities looking to reduce water use and wet-cleaning operational pressure | Approx. €7.9K – €12.9K estimated annual operating cost saving |
Related pages
Continue reviewing product fit.
Custom assessment
Want a ROI model for your facility?
Send us your floor area, cleaning schedule, current labour structure and cleaning method. PolarX can prepare a modelled ROI estimate based on your site conditions.
The figures above are based on modelled commercial cleaning scenarios and are provided for illustration only. Actual savings may vary depending on floor area, site layout, cleaning frequency, labour rates, staffing structure, equipment configuration, operating hours, floor condition, maintenance requirements, utility costs and other site-specific conditions. These ROI models do not represent guaranteed financial, safety, ESG or operational outcomes.