5 Tips on Saving Energy in Your Restaurant

Running a profitable eco-friendly restaurant is no easy task, but there are many green tips for saving energy in your restaurant that not only reduce your energy consumption but also save you money. No one business can go completely green overnight, but there are small changes that are not difficult to make that will make an enormous impact. A few of these green initiatives include switching to more energy-efficient lighting such as LED lights, motion sensors, and upgrading appliances to more energy-efficient machines. Here are 5 energy-saving ideas that lower your carbon footprint, protect the environment, save you money and help your bottom line.

1. LED Lighting

It is no secret that keeping the lights on in a restaurant is not cheap. If you want to save money and help the environment it would be in your best interest to switch to energy-efficient lighting. Many businesses have converted to LED lighting. LED lighting naturally consumes less energy than other forms of lighting. They have also proven to be much safer and sturdier lights, made of epoxy lenses, than previous models which are made from glass.

2. Motion Sensors

Another of our favorite simple tips on saving energy in your restaurant is to implement motion sensor light switches in restrooms and other lower-use areas. This way, there is no shot of an employee forgetting to shut the lights off. Switch to motion sensor lights and ensure you won’t be draining resources as well as your money.

3. Energy Star Appliance Upgrades

Restaurants need many appliances to crank out an excessive amount of meals on a daily basis. Of course, there is a lot of energy that goes into creating these dishes. There’s washing, preparing, cooking, and cleaning, etc. That being said, it is crucial that you upgrade appliances to energy efficient, e.g. Energy Star, for ovens, boilers, refrigerators, etc. Start with Energy Star refrigeration. These models have proven to have better insulation and uses only one half of the energy of other models.

4. Freezer Maintenance

Another major energy consumer is the sub-zero freezer. Preventative maintenance of your freezer maximizes its energy efficiency. According to the Harvard Lab Sustainability Guide, good maintenance practices include checking and cleaning door seals, changing filters, cleaning exposed coils, and defrosting the unit at least once per year.

5. Insulation Check

When was the last time you updated your restaurant’s insulation or had someone out to come to look at it? The U.S. Department of Energy recommends an insulation inspection once a year. Insulation can fall under the ‘out of sight out of mind’ category when looking for new ways to save energy. However it should be one of your top priorities, as you know heat and air condition is not cheap, and a single insulation upgrade could save you tons on your electricity bill.