Carbon Less Restaurants: Improving Your Restaurant’s Energy Efficiency
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Agency, restaurants are the most energy intensive businesses, using 2.5 to 3 x the energy per square foot of a typical commercial facility. Energy is also generally the 3rd or 4th largest expense for a restaurant. And, yet, most restaurants treat energy as a non-controllable expense and do little if anything to try to reduce energy usage.
In fact, there are inexpensive things a restaurant can do to lower energy usage, and those things can add up and have a huge effect. For example, for a restaurant with a 10% profit margin for which energy is 5% of total costs (not unusual), a 20% reduction in energy usage would increase profit by 10%.
1. Get an evaluation by a certified energy professional (including HVAC, envelope, etc.) and make proposed improvements
The best way to see how you can save energy is to find out how you are currently using energy. You can have a comprehensive energy evaluation performed at no cost by CLS at no cost to you. We will assess what your locations will require and how we can best utilize technology to reduce your costs.
2. Choose LED lighting
LED technology has transformed the market. You can now select energy efficient lighting in a variety of temperature colors and retain the ambiance of your restaurant. This lighting lasts more than twice as long as what is being replaced and uses less than half of the energy.
3. Upgrade your controls with ECMs
Many restaurants use as much as 40% of their energy when they are closed. This indicates that there are great opportunities for HVAC and refrigeration controls for walk-in freezers and coolers. Refrigeration savings can be enhanced by the replacement of standard pole motors with ECMs (electronically commutated motors), which reduce energy consumption by 35%.
4. Thermostat / Temperature control of the spaces
Did you ever eat at a restaurant in the middle of August and wish you brought your coat because it was so cold? The owner is paying more than he or she has to for their customers to be uncomfortable! Be aware of the temperature settings. Install programmable thermostats.
5. Demand controlled ventilation
Equip your HVAC system with demand controlled ventilation (DCV) to automatically adjust the volume exchange of fresh air depending on the occupancy of your dining area and save energy during the times your restaurant is less busy.
6. Choose ENERGY STAR® equipment
Before purchasing kitchen equipment, go to EnergyStar.gov to see the rebates that are available for high efficiency “Energy Star” rated equipment.
7. Reduce your hot water consumption
By using energy savings equipment, installing low flow spray nozzles and low flow faucets, and training your employees to best practices, this will also help you to reduce your overall water consumption.
8. Perform regular maintenance
Make sure you are following the scheduled maintenance of your kitchen equipment, coolers, freezers and building HVAC. For example, you can save energy by cleaning and tuning your heating equipment every year. Regularly cleaning and de-icing the refrigeration units’ coils will also save a good amount of energy.
9. Reduce the energy going through your exhaust hoods
By installing smart exhaust hood controls, these systems will ensure your hoods work properly but will not pull more air than necessary out of your kitchen. They automatically adjust as heat and emissions increase, but will increase the comfort in the kitchen and cut energy costs.
10. Avoid losing energy through your main traffic point(s)
Minimize the exchange to the outside air at your main entrance point(s) by installing a double door entry way or an air curtain.
11. Shut off idle equipment and lighting.
Conserving energy can be as easy as turning off a light switch. This may sound simple, but countless restaurants waste hundreds of dollars a month because they leave idle equipment running. During down time, turn off the range or the fryer and begin preheating again when business picks up. Use timers for your outdoor lighting, or even try solar-powered outdoor lights that can charge themselves.
By using these tips, you’ll start to see measurable benefits of going green that will help your restaurant reduce waste and save money. Earth-conscious customers will appreciate your dedication to conserving energy, and the environment will, too!