How we research
Many of our guides include numbers you can act on: hours to clean a floor, labor dollars saved, runtime per charge. This page documents where those numbers come from, so you can check them and rerun them with your own inputs.
Productivity model
practical sq ft per hour = path width (in) ÷ 12 × speed (ft/min) × 60 × efficiency
| Assumption | Default | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-behind working speed | 175 ft/min | 150 to 200 ft/min |
| Ride-on working speed | 300 ft/min | 250 to 350 ft/min |
| Efficiency factor | 0.65 | 0.55 to 0.75 |
| Wet mopping rate | 2,500 sq ft/hr | 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft/hr |
The efficiency factor covers turns, overlap between passes, slowing near obstacles and stops to empty and refill tanks. Our defaults line up with the general range seen in published cleaning-time references, such as those compiled by ISSA, and with what operators commonly report.
Labor cost model
annual labor cost = area × cleanings per week × 52 ÷ rate × loaded hourly cost
We usually show results at loaded labor rates of $18, $22 and $28 per hour so readers can pick the closest match. We describe labor as the large majority of floor care cost (often quoted at around 85 to 90 percent) as an industry rule of thumb, not a measured statistic.
Battery runtime model
Runtime estimates start from the battery's 20-hour amp-hour rating, adjust for the Peukert effect at the machine's actual current draw, and stop at a conservative usable fraction: 80 percent for lead-acid and 90 percent for lithium iron phosphate. The full method is on the runtime calculator page.
Prices
Price ranges are approximate 2026 US street prices for new equipment by machine class, based on published list prices and typical dealer pricing. They vary with configuration, battery choice, region and dealer, so treat them as budgeting ranges and get written quotes.
Source types we rely on
- Manufacturer specification sheets, operator manuals and parts and service documentation
- Standards and regulatory guidance, for example ANSI A326.3 on wet dynamic coefficient of friction, OSHA's walking-working surfaces rule (29 CFR 1910 Subpart D) and CDC environmental cleaning guidance
- Battery manufacturer and industry guidance on deep-cycle charging, watering and equalizing
- Chemical product labels, SDS documents and certification program criteria (Green Seal, UL ECOLOGO, EPA Safer Choice)
- Practitioner experience from operators, supervisors and service technicians
Limits
Models simplify reality. A congested floor, a new operator, heavy soil or old batteries can each move real results well outside our ranges. Use our numbers to plan and compare, then confirm them with a timed trial on your own floor, ideally with a demo machine from the dealer.