Restaurants Can Take a Bite Out of Energy Costs a

Restaurants and Energy  Profit margins for restaurants are often slim; typically only 3-9% of total revenue.  Reducing energy use is often an easy way to knock down some of your operating costs.  Saving 20% on energy operating costs could increase profit by as much as one third.

What Is ENERGY STAR?

   A program of U.S. EPA and DOE that helps to identify energy efficient products through voluntary labeling.

Rates commercial lighting Rates commercial-grade restaurant equipment.

ENERGY STAR Lighting  Exit Signs  Operate on five watts or less per sign, compared to standard signs, which use as much as 40 watts per sign.

 Can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in energy and maintenance costs.  One sign can save about $10 annually on electricity costs and can last up to 10 years without a lamp replacement, compared to less than one year for an incandescent.

ENERGY STAR Lighting     T-12 to T-8 fluorescent switch-out Compact fluorescents whenever possible LEDs in some applications Timers, sensors and other lighting controls

What Type of ENERGY STAR Equipment is Available?

   Fryers (33 models) Steam Cookers (56 models) Hot Food Holding Cabinets (44 models)  Solid-door Refrigerators & Freezers (1080 models)

Why Is ENERGY STAR Rated Equipment Better?

     Range from 25% to 60% more energy efficient Shorter cook times Higher production rates Improved insulation High-efficiency compressors

What Else is On the Horizon?

 Commercial dishwashers  One of biggest energy users in kitchen   Consumes 2/3 of all water in restaurant Technologies available and specs complete by 2007  Ice makers, Griddles, Ovens, Ventilation hoods, Glass-door fridges and freezers

Small Things You Can Do  Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps – save up to $34 per lamp.

 Install a programmable thermostat and use night setback settings – save up to $500.

 Replace or repair cracked or warped refrigerator or freezer gaskets or hinges – save up to $50 per refrigerator.

Bigger Things You Can Do  Install a daylighting-control system to be sure you are not providing too much light in your dining area during daylight hours – save up to $700.

 Replace incandescent or mercury vapor parking lot lighting with high-pressure sodium or metal halide lights – save up to $40 per lamp (add photocells and a timer for additional savings).

 Replace T-12 lamps and magnetic ballasts with T-8 fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts – save up to $16 per lamp.

More Bigger Things!

 Replace your conventional gas fryer with an infrared gas fryer or high-efficiency atmospheric gas fryer – save up to $400 per fryer.

 Install your walk-in freezer within your walk-in cooler and put vinyl strips over the door.

 Lay out your kitchen so cold appliances are not near hot appliances.

Still More Ideas  Invest in low-flow, pre-rinse spray valves to save energy, water and sewage costs. A low-flow pre rinse spray valve -- which costs about $40 to $60 - consumes 1.6 gallons per minute rather than the standard 4 gallons per minute.  Install a kitchen exhaust system that automatically varies fan speeds. Fan power to heat and cool restaurant kitchens and eliminate smoke accounts for a large portion of an operation's energy bill.

How Can I Learn More?

   ENERGY STAR Special Restaurants page   Qualified-products lists Rebate finder and store locator Annual awards program Best Practices Tool for quick and full service restaurants

How Can I Learn More?

Consortium for Energy Efficiency Commercial Kitchens Initiative  Features standards for fryers, solid- and glass-door refrigerators, solid-door freezers, and ice makers.

How Can I Learn More?

Food Service Technology Center  Based in California, specializes in commercial kitchen energy efficiency and appliance performance testing.  Developed more than 30 Standard Test Methods for evaluating commercial kitchen appliance performance.

How Can I Learn More?

Green Star  On-line tip sheets, links, and articles.

 On-site waste assessments and energy audits.

 Phone and email technical assistance to help answer your questions.