The cost of commercial equipment can run well over $100,000 to fully outfit a restaurant. So, once you’ve purchased that equipment, it’s imperative to keep it all running at peak performance. After all, most restaurants use between 5 and 7 times more energy than other commercial buildings. In order to get the most from your investment, you may want to implement other cost-saving measures. Using the four tips below can help you care for your commercial restaurant equipment, while also helping you save money on your overall operating expenses.
1. Purchase certified Energy Star® equipment.
If you’re still deciding what type of restaurant equipment to purchase, you should definitely consider certified Energy Star® equipment. Depending on the unit,
Energy Star® equipment
is up to 45% more efficient than comparable units. This can translate to major savings over the life of the unit. Commercial restaurant refrigerators and freezers can use between 600 and 2,000 kilowatts per hour, which can translate to large energy bills. Energy Star® equipment can cut those bills substantially.
2. Consider installing LED lights.
While traditional lighting uses 40-120 watts of energy, LED lights are powered by as few as 5, which can make a big difference in the cost of lighting a restaurant. While restaurant owners regularly use LEDs in front-of-house lighting arrays, they don’t always think of switching out lights in the kitchen. LEDs in the kitchen use less energy and generate less heat, making them perfect for both walk-in freezers and overhead lights.
3. Use evaporative fan controllers in walk-in freezers.
Most commercial freezers run fans continuously, even though full airflow is not always needed to keep temps low, especially if the freezer stays closed for a greater length of time. Fan controllers can determine when full airflow is needed, and slow or stop fans when they don’t need to run. This can save between 10 and 60 percent of refrigeration energy.
4. Schedule planned maintenance.
The cost of a nonfunctional machine can be massive, and can include loss of inventory, loss of revenue from forced shutdowns, as well as the cost of replacement parts and labor for a repair. To avoid unforeseen costs,
schedule ongoing maintenance
for your commercial kitchen equipment. Even
simple preventative steps
like cleaning dust, dirt, and grease from coils, checking fan functioning, and keeping tabs on gasket conditions can save thousands in repair costs down the road.
Rely On Us for Your Own Equipment Service Needs
We understand how important your commercial kitchen equipment is to your restaurant’s profitability. That’s one of the many reasons we’re trusted by numerous Tennessee restaurant owners to provide quick, expert service. To see how we can help keep your equipment up and running, call us for service or reach out for a
planned maintenance quote.
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