The foodservice industry is one of the largest consumers of energy in the country, spending roughly $10 billion on energy costs every year. The average foodservice operation uses more than 250,000 BTU per square foot, five times more than other commercial buildings. The culprit? Heat. As much as 80 percent of the energy used by commercial kitchens is wasted as excess heat generated by inefficient appliances.
One the best ways for restaurants to determine energy-efficiency options and potential saving is to conduct an energy audit. Depending on the size of your operation, you can conduct the energy audit personally or contract a third party to evaluate your energy use.
The Food Service Technology Center (FSTC) is a valuable resource that can help restaurants determine the energy efficiency of their equipment. The FSTC has developed over 35 standard test methods for evaluating commercial kitchen appliance performance. The organization also offers educational seminars, presentations and articles to help you better understand how to lower energy costs through more efficient equipment.
When conducting an energy audit, it’s important to gather energy-use data. Organizations such as the FSTC can provide comprehensive efficiency ratings for foodservice equipment, but restaurants can also review equipment specifications and operating manuals to determine energy use.
It’s helpful to review information on mechanical systems to determine their type, size and age, as all of these factors impact their performance. In addition, restaurants should absolutely review past energy bills and record the current rate structure, demand and consumption information, and fuel costs.
Restaurants can get a “Do it Yourself Energy Survey” from the FSTC that outlines five key areas: kitchen and serving, dining room, dish room, rooftop and parking lot, and exterior. This checklist provides an itemized list of the energy- and water-using systems of a typical commercial foodservice establishment that should be targeted during a commercial foodservice energy audit. With this checklist in hand, an operator, utility representative or independent auditor can identify energy and water leaks and begin the process of reducing operating costs.
Purchasing New EquipmentBack to top
Restaurants using older, less efficient foodservice equipment should consider upgrading to new energy-efficient models. Using more energy-efficient equipment is one of the easiest ways to save big on utility costs.
Hobart has a full line of ENERGY STAR® rated warewashers that are not only at least 25 percent more energy efficient, but also at least 25 percent more water efficient compared to non-ENERGY STAR models. That’s an average saving of $850 a year on utility bills and another $200 a year in annual water costs.
Hobart ENERGY STAR electric steamers may shrink utility costs another $500 annually (6,620 kWh) while cutting water consumption 90 percent or more, compared to standard models. The company’s ENERGY STAR qualified electric fryers are up to 15 percent more efficient than standard models, saving restaurants 930 kWh annually, or an average of $80 a year on utility bills. Gas fryers are 53 percent more efficient and may save an operator almost $600 a year.
Traulsen also offers more than a hundred models of ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators, freezers, refrigerator-freezers and hot-food holding cabinets that may reduce energy consumption by up to 45 percent.
Moreover, Hobart’s full-size convection ovens (both electric and gas) are ENERGY STAR qualified. According to ENERGY STAR, qualified convection ovens may save $320 a year.
There are valuable rebates from several organizations that serve as incentives to foodservice operations that use energy-efficient equipment.
Click here to learn about the FSTC’s utility rebates or here for more information on ENERGY STAR’s commercial foodservice equipment incentives. Many utility companies offer rebates when you purchase equipment with the ENERGY STAR. Check with your utility company to see if you qualify.
More information on Hobart’s ENERGY STAR qualified equipment is available here. You can also contact Hobart’s LEED-accredited staff to perform an energy audit and help get your project started.