If you are an owner of an eating establishment struggling to reduce energy costs, you have come to the right place. Today we will identify the essential areas of restaurant energy-consuming factors and propose suggestions to counter them to reduce restaurant operating costs.
Upgrade Kitchen Equipment
Restaurant commercial machinery such as mincers, ovens, and blenders will consume a high rate of energy. However, this expense is highly manageable. Numerous kitchenware manufacturers offer efficient restaurant machinery that will consume less energy while significantly assisting in food making. This can reduce your cost per dish and increase the profit of the restaurant.
Restaurateurs should consider switching to a more efficient model. For example, upgrading to a deep fryer that will provide moist meats or fries quicker at a reduced temperature will conserve energy. Restaurateurs will also be able to use less oil while maintaining the integrity and composition of food.
Regular Repair and Maintenance
Restaurateurs must also undertake regular maintenance as required. The appliances present in the kitchen are constantly working, unlike the staff that goes home at the end of the work shift. This is an intelligent control to assess the performance of the machines and categorize them as disposed of if necessary.
The coil insulation prevents the fridge from heating up. However, suppose it is not adequately maintained. For example, the refrigerator coil can become clogged because of constant use or collecting dust over time. In that case, the fridge will require more energy to perform the same cooling tasks as before.
Upgrade Plumbing
Water is hugely used in restaurants. It is used to rinse almost every food-related element. It is used to cure meats, and most of all, it is used for cleaning purposes. Water is endlessly used to wash dishes and cutlery and mop floors. Such use will hike the water expenses calculated by utility bidders.
Restaurants can consider using low flow valves that are inexpensive alternatives to high spray valves. They are easy to replace and consume less water as well.
The restaurant management must constantly repair leaks and improper working faucets. The leaking plumbing is a primary contributor to an outrageous water bill.
LED Lighting
Another form of energy that restaurants constantly utilize is electricity. From the moment restaurants open to the second last customer leaves, the entire electric plumbing stays operable.
Moreover, suppose a restaurant is using fluorescent lighting. In that case, its electricity cost at the end of the month is likely to be mountainous.
Installing LED lights can reduce electricity costs significantly. These are energy-efficient bulbs that provide high-grade illumination at a fraction of the cost.
They are inexpensive and long-term energy illuminating resources that will improve the restaurant experience for the diners. LED bulbs are also perfect for illuminating large surface areas.
Installing Smart Technology
Restaurants also spend a lot on heating, so the diners feel comfortable. The heat is also used to warm water to soak dishes for hygienic purposes. As a result, restaurants must consider investing in smart technologies, including thermostat technology that can be operated remotely.
The dishwashing temperature is regulated at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Monitor the temperature so the appliances are not consuming energy at a faster rate. Additionally, do not make thermostats accessible to employees.
They might constantly alter the temperatures. Another wise recommendation would be to install unheated hand dryers. They consume a lot less energy which will reduce expenses significantly.
Maintain Temperature Ceiling
The kitchen is the warmest area of the restaurant because of the heat produced by stovetops and baking ovens. When the internal kitchen temperature surpasses a certain point, the refrigerator works extra hard to maintain its cooling. Therefore, maintaining internal temperatures is a great tool to minimize energy costs.
Restaurant kitchen staff can use induction pressure cookers and equipment that do not require flame or gas heat to operate. Instead, they build heat and pressure internally so your kitchen temperature does not soar.
In addition, kitchen exhausts provide excellent ventilation to remove hot air. These include regular electric exhausts or exhausts with hood above cooking stations.
Turn off idle Appliances
Not every piece of equipment is required at the same time. Chefs are not utilizing each cooking platform the entirety of their time. Plugged-in food choppers are idly sitting without being used. Such practices are money-wasting which will significantly result in increased utility expenditures.
Restaurant staff must turn off idle equipment when it is not required. Oven must be used for pre-heating, turn stoves off and on as used, and equipment must not be left plugged in the electricity sockets. These little actions will reduce the energy expenses.
Layout
Another significant factor in reducing energy expenses is the kitchen layout. The floor plan of the kitchen must not be confusing. The electricity sockets must be nearest to appliances with stoves and exhausts located at the separate end. The equipment must be surrounded with a bit of breathing space so they do not collide. After all, they are expensive.
The kitchen layout must separate heating equipment from the cooling supplies. This will regulate the internal temperature and make it easy for the kitchen staff to move around. Desert staff can work at the cooling station while the entrée staff is busing hustling at the stovetops.
Collective effort
The management at the restaurant can involve employees in the efficient energy consumption plan. For example, the supervisor can post reminders to turn off taps or equipment after using them. One-sentence reminders may be pasted at appropriate locations to minimize energy use.
Moreover, the manager or the head chefs can practice techniques in their leadership capacity. Their actions will impact the subordinate staff to follow through with management proposals.
The energy-saving protocols may be added to the employee handbook. These are distributed among the new hires, so they understand the working protocol.
The Final Words
If you have implemented the above-mentioned protocols and your energy expenses are still skyrocketing, contact your utility bidder for a detailed analysis. The provider can perform energy audits or provide helpful insight into your energy-consuming operations.
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