Six Easy Energy Saving Tips for the Food Service Industry
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With ever-increasing costs in both the energy and manufacturing sectors, businesses and consumers are looking for ways to increase their bottom line. Keep reading to discover 6 easy steps to reduce energy costs and be environmentally friendly.
In the foodservice industry, a key step to maintain and improve sustainability is the entire operation taking part in the commitment, and not just the front or the back of house shouldering all the responsibility. Regardless of what is driving the change, ensuring improved sustainability is a company-wide effort that should be done as time, staffing and finances permit. While there might be an urge to get everything done at once to improve the bottom line, working as a team and at a manageable pace can be the difference between success and failure.
Energy Star has ranked foodservice operations as one of the top energy-intensive industries, with an average of almost 30% of a commercial building’s energy being wasted. While that is alarming, there is a good chance you can save money and improve energy efficiency and save on monthly utilities without sacrificing quality or service in a few easy ways.
The first thing you need to do is to determine what your current consumption is so you can quantify any savings and energy efficiency you see in the future. You can do this easily by looking at all utility bills from the past twelve months and noting when consumption was at both its highest and lowest.
Before making big purchases or introducing major changes, try contacting your utility company directly to see if you can take advantage of any free or low-cost energy audit they might offer. It is always best to have an evaluation done by a professional to get knowledgeable advice and see if they may have insight or ideas that you had not previously considered.
1. Choosing high-efficiency equipment
Saving money sometimes requires spending money, particularly when upgrading or replacing old restaurant equipment. High-efficiency appliances should be at the top of the list when deciding how to maximize performance and decrease energy costs. Newer environmental guidelines and technologies frequently outpace the life of an appliance, and if the budget permits, timed upgrades can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars a year.
There are two key costs to consider when purchasing new equipment: the initial upfront price and operational costs over the life of the product. Typically, energy-efficient appliances have a higher price tag due to energy saving technology, but you need to factor in the money saved over time along with any warranty you might purchase along with it. Many times, manufacturers offer rebates to promote the purchase of energy-efficient models, so it is best to look for appliances with Energy Star certification or that state they offer Canadian businesses rebates or other incentives.
2. Maintaining equipment
Whether new, refurbished or one you’ve had for years, a well-running appliance saves time and money in the long run. If there is no room in the budget to purchase newer appliances, simply maintaining your existing equipment can increase safety and boost its efficiency.
Making sure ovens and refrigerators are running at optimal temperatures can be done easily by keeping a log of daily thermometer readings. Running a few degrees hot or cold not only effects the safety of food products and production quality but can also consume 25% more electricity than is required.
Should you find variation in the operating temperatures throughout the day, taking the time to check and repair the following can help maximize efficiency at a lower cost:
Seal wear and tear – Seals on appliances break down over time. Check and replace any that have cracked or have started to come detached.
Regularly scheduled cleanings – Restaurant equipment that is frequently used can improve performance with standard cleaning (ovens, refrigerator coils, and range hoods).
Change and clean filters – Clogged and dirty filters can cause an appliance to use more energy or potentially break (fryers, furnaces, ice machines, etc.)
Sufficient airflow – Equipment needs proper spacing and airflow to maximize efficiency. Placing appliances too close to the wall or too near another piece of equipment might save on space but cost you in terms of equipment lifespan and optimization.
HVAC servicing – HVAC systems run almost constantly and are critical in regulating air quality along with heating and cooling. Don’t wait until there is an issue before scheduling maintenance.
3. Lighting
Electricity costs are typically a large portion of the utilities budget, and lighting is something that can easily increase costs. Using older lighting features or leaving lights on in a location when not its being used and the main culprits when it comes to extra cost.
LED lights – LEDS not only increase your energy savings but can last significantly longer than traditional Edison or even fluorescent bulbs. While not always considered, they give off less heat, so in some case, you can even save on cooling costs.
Motion sensors – High traffic areas benefit from lighting being on a standard switch or timer (mentioned below), but for places in your establishment that have infrequent or little traffic, motion sensors are an ideal way to cut back on costs.
Solar powered lighting – Smaller and outdoor areas can benefit from solar lighting, only turning on when it is dark and needing no extra electricity. Depending on brand and quality, solar lighting can require low to minimal maintenance and last up to 10 years.
Clean bulbs and shades – Dust and grime can build up on light sources, and not only will cleaning them prevent potential fire hazards, it can also increase light output.
Smart lighting – Smart lighting allows you to schedule and regulate your lighting to an amazing degree. Timers and dimmers can be used to maximize efficiency during working hours, and based on need, atmosphere, and schedules. You can potentially save money if you explore lighting retrofit programs to replace existing lighting features and bulbs.
4. Temperature control
Keeping customers and staff comfortable is a priority to many business owners, and there are many ways to keep them happy along with your wallet while still focusing on energy savings.
Thermostat – Programming your thermostat to regulate the temperature more during peak business hours than off hours can help reduce energy consumption.
Ceiling fans – Simple and effective, ceiling fans can assist with both heating and cooling by circulating the air through the establishment, which also aids in comfort with fewer hot or cold pockets.
Insulation – Whether cooling or heating your business, insulation is key to helping reduce costs of constantly running an air conditioner or heating unit and promote energy saving. Proper insulation around electrical outlet/receptacles, and weatherstripping around windows and doors should be checked annually to make sure they are still in good condition.
Water temperature – Having hot water accessible is vital for a foodservice company, especially when it comes to sanitization and washing. While it’s impossible to get around the need to heat water, using insulation on water pipes, adjusting the recirculation timers can keep heat from dissipating too quickly. Ware washing water efficiency can be increased by reducing water temperature and using a booster.
5. Conserving water
Water consumption varies based on establishment, but is still vital to the foodservice industry, from washrooms to cooking and ware washers.
Leaks – A dripping faucet or a small leak may not seem like much, but over time, it can add up to large losses in commercial kitchens. Repairing issues as soon as they are noticed can help you decrease water consumption.
Defrosting food in advance – Many kitchens run cold water over products to defrost them faster, greatly increasing water use. Instead, if possible, try to plan ahead and place items that need to be defrosted into a refrigerator beforehand.
Low flow appliances – Installing low flow taps and toilets with the restrooms can reduce water usage without negative impacting function. WaterSense certified products, much like Energy Star, have been rated to help reduce consumption by up to 20%.
Serving complimentary water – While it’s customary to serve complimentary water to a guest, you can save money by having servers ask guests if they would like some first.
Pre-rinsing – Pre-rising dishes and smallwares using low-pressure spray nozzles actually helps you save money by getting heavier debris off serving ware before it gets washed and sanitized.
Running full loads – Running full loads for both laundry and dishware is far more efficient that either an under-loaded or over-loaded machine.
Dry cleaning – Dry shampoo and vacuums can be used between steam-cleanings for carpets and large rugs depending upon how much traffic and use the area receives.
6. Staff Training
A great way to start making energy saving a team effort is to train existing and new hires on industry best practices and procedures, and have refresher meetings a couple times a year to keep employees alert and aware. Simple things like not leaving coolers or external doors open, reporting leaks, turning off lights when not in low traffic areas, and only running full loads when washing can quickly reduce energy waste and utility costs without needing to spend extra money.
Staff not only allow your business to function, but they can be a wonderful resource for suggestions on ways you can make your facilities more energy-efficient in day-to-day operations. Listening to concerns and observations from all levels of your team can give you a glimpse into the energy waste and inefficiencies they notice in their daily or weekly tasks that might otherwise be overlooked.
- Make sure equipment doors are fully closed.
- Double-check on external doors too.
- Only run full loads in the dishwasher or laundry machine.
- Turn off lights in low-traffic areas when not in use.
- Show staff how to operate energy saving devices.
While reducing energy consumption can be a difficult thing to do when running a business, everyone playing their part, standard maintenance, and choosing equipment and appliances that can operate efficiently at a lower long-term cost can greatly increase your bottom line.
To find out what guidelines and procedures are applicable to your personal business, please consult provincial resources and your local utilities providers to provide a personal assessment. We hope you can not only save money, but help play your part in saving the earth, too!
Initially written by: Bre Baker
Updated by: Theresa McGray