Restaurants
Energy-Saving Tips Cards
Download our hot weather energy-saving tips cards and reduce electricity costs as well as protect the environment.
A restaurant's profit is typically only 3% to 9% of total revenue. The money saved on operating costs adds directly to the bottom line, so saving 20% on energy operating costs through no-cost, low-cost and investment energy improvements can increase your profit as much as one-third.
Furthermore, the indirect benefits of these measures, such as improved customer comfort, lighting, repeat business and employee productivity, will also strengthen your bottom line. Begin with the equipment that uses the most energy to see the greatest results.
Which Equipment is Draining Your Profits?
Energy Use in Restaurants (2002)
Source: Project on Restaurant Energy Performance
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
If your restaurant is like most, your HVAC system may be eating up your profits. Here is how you can save energy:
- Use recommended thermostat set points: Every degree of cooling increases energy use by 4% to 5% (e.g., cooling to 73° F instead of 76° F uses 12% to 15% more energy). Save up to $500 annually.
- Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat to automatically control temperature settings and save 10% to 70% on heat and cooling costs.
- Try a resistance heating and cooling system with a heat pump (if you are in a temperate climate zone) instead of heating your dining area with electric resistance baseboard heaters to save up to $1,000 annually.
- Apply new-generation "clear" coatings on large south- and west-facing windows to reduce solar heat gain and reduce your annual costs by up to $200.
Food preparation equipment
The second-largest energy drain on your restaurant's profits is likely from inefficient, or inefficient use of, food preparation equipment. Here is how you can save energy:
- Preheat cooking equipment no longer than manufacturer's recommendation and turn down cooking equipment when order activity is slow, and save up to $500 annually.
- Turn off an idle broiler just one hour a day and save up to $400 annually.
- Make sure oven and refrigerator doors fit tightly and gaskets are in good condition (replacing damaged door gaskets), and save up to $100 annually.
- Use high-efficiency gas griddles, gas fryers and electric fryers, and save between $100 and $500 annually.
Cleaning equipment
The cost of cleaning dishes can be very high, primarily because of the energy needed to heat water. Here is how you can save energy:
- Load dishes in their proper locations to ensure maximum cleaning efficiency. See the dishwasher owner's manual for instructions on proper loading.
- Make sure the dishwasher is fully loaded before turning it on.
- Replace old, high-volume kitchen sprayers with high-velocity, low-flow models, and save up to $1,000 a year in hot water costs.
- Replace a 10- to 20-year-old conventional dishwasher with an infrared gas dishwasher and save up to $2,900 annually.
Additional tools & resources
Take advantage of these tools and resources: