Even though the government has introduced a plan to cap energy prices, businesses, unfortunately, aren’t covered. What can your restaurant do to reduce energy consumption and become more energy efficient?
Check out www.utilitybidder.co.uk to find out how to save money on energy and which energy suppliers suit your budget and needs. This quick guide has tips that will help your restaurant become more energy-efficient.
How Much Energy Does a Restaurant Use?
Restaurants use energy differently depending on the type of business. The Carbon Trust estimates that the sector’s energy costs are more than £1.3 billion annually, with carbon emissions exceeding 8 million tonnes. Most of the energy is used for refrigeration, heating, and cooking.
5 Tips for Reducing Restaurant Energy Consumption
Restaurants can save money by implementing best practices for energy conservation without compromising customer service or workplace safety. The energy efficiency of a restaurant can be improved even though it will always require a lot of energy to function. Here are five ways restaurants can reduce energy consumption and become more energy efficient.
1. Invest in Energy-saving Appliances
Restaurants rely heavily on their appliances for their energy needs. It may be time to replace your most energy-consuming machines with newer models, which are far more efficient. Consider investing in high-efficiency fryers, ovens, and refrigeration suitable for lowering your monthly energy costs. Energy-efficient dishwashers can save you money over time when compared to regular dishwashers.
2. Regularly Maintain Your Equipment
Cleaning and maintaining your machinery regularly can prolong its life and reduce its power consumption. Condenser coil failure is often caused by dust buildup on condenser coils, which makes the fridge use more energy. You can increase your system’s effectiveness by keeping them clean.
Water filtration systems become clogged with mineral deposits or calcification when neglected, resulting in higher energy consumption. Water filters should be changed regularly so that the scale does not accumulate and obstruct internal components.
3. Consider Switching To Energy-saving Bulbs
You can significantly reduce the monthly electricity bill by replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs or compact fluorescent light bulbs. LED lights’ lifespan is much longer than traditional incandescent lamps, and they use far less energy.
LED lights have four times the energy efficiency of CFL bulbs, making them the more energy-efficient choice. The lumen output of CFLs is higher than that of LEDs, so they are a better choice for cafeterias and larger dining rooms in restaurants.
4. Reduce The Heat
It can significantly reduce your heating costs if you limit the hot water used and avoid adjusting the thermostat. To maximize energy savings in your restaurant, install a programmable thermostat that you can control remotely.
Using a dishwasher at a lower temperature can result in lower utility bills. A minimum temperature of 60 degrees Celsius is required for dishwashing in the food service industry, although local laws may be more stringent.
The temperature of your dishwasher should be set precisely to the manufacturer’s recommendation to save money and energy. Compared to traditional hand dryers, energy-efficient dryers use 80 percent less electricity and are significantly more energy efficient.
5. Ensure That Idle Equipment Is Turned Off
Turning off the lights when your restaurant is not in use will help your restaurant conserve energy. In restaurants, it’s common for people to forget to turn off lights and other appliances, which wastes a lot of electricity.
It would help if you determined when it is most necessary to turn on and off machinery before developing a timetable. A fryer can be turned off when demand is low, then reheated as soon as demand increases. Consider solar-powered outdoor lighting if your lights are routinely left on, and use timers for interior and exterior lighting.
Final Thoughts
Adopting small changes will reduce your restaurant’s energy consumption and utility costs and benefit your business if it reduces its carbon footprint. You will see a dramatic increase in your restaurant’s efficiency after implementing these simple measures.
Ensure that all equipment and lights are turned off when leaving the restaurant at the end of the day. By working together, everyone can reduce energy consumption at the restaurant significantly.