At Budderfly, we work with thousands of restaurants across the U.S. to improve their energy efficiency with cutting-edge technology and upgraded energy infrastructure. In the post, we’re putting our expertise to use to answer some of the most common questions we hear about restaurant energy efficiency.
How can a restaurant be more energy efficient?
Restaurant energy efficiency can be achieved by updating equipment, such as HVAC systems, lighting, and refrigeration to newer more efficient models that require less energy to perform the same tasks. Restaurants can also become more efficient by incorporating energy-saving technologies like smart thermostats, monitoring tools, and smart metering that track how much energy is being used, flag potential problems like open refrigerator doors and maintain ideal temperatures with setpoint scheduling and limits. These solutions help reduce energy waste and boost sustainability without compromising restaurant performance or comfort.
What is energy management in the hospitality industry?
Hospitality energy management is how businesses like hotels and restaurants utilize their energy consumption across various systems and pieces of equipment. Hotels are complex businesses that typically require a lot of energy to meet guests’ needs, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC systems), food storage and preparation, and 24/7 lighting throughout facilities. Energy management, whether done in-house or outsourced to and energy as a service company, helps hospitality businesses track how much energy they are using and where, identify areas where energy waste is occurring, and upgrade and maintain equipment—all with the goal of lowering monthly energy consumption.
What uses the most energy in a restaurant?
Restaurants are one of the most energy-intensive businesses, using more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings. The highest user of energy in a restaurant may vary depending on the type of business and facility, but typically the cooking equipment or commercial restaurant refrigerator uses the most.
How much energy does a restaurant use per month?
The average restaurant energy consumption rate is 5 to 7 times higher than any other type of commercial building. Even when looked at by industry, food service buildings top the charts. Restaurant energy cost is similarly high, as energy accounts for 3-5% of the average total operational costs of a restaurant.
What is an HVAC system for a restaurant?
An HVAC system is the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning of a restaurant. The system consists of many parts (rooftop units, ductwork, vents, thermostats, air filters, and more) that work together to maintain comfortable temperatures, keep air clean, remove heat, smoke, bad smells, and humidity across the kitchen and dining areas. Commercial HVAC maintenance is essential for restaurants, to keep the system working well and ensure clean air and safety for customers and employees.
Which type of AC is best for a restaurant?
Restaurants need powerful heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to keep temperatures comfortable and the air clean. The best type of AC will be part of an energy efficient system like an Ultra High Performance HVAC. These systems decouple the traditional rooftop HVAC unit into two components: energy recovery ventilator and variable refrigerant flow system. The energy recovery ventilator brings in 100% outside air, while reutilizing the air that is being exhausted and recovering energy from it. Variable refrigerant flow system then takes the air which the ventilator brings in and cools it or heats it based on the needs of the space. This is ideal for restaurants, because UHP HVACs can deliver a complete exchange of air many times an hour without worrying about heating or cooling that air: clearing out any smoke, smells, or chemicals in a space quickly and pumping in fresh and healthy air inside. They take out humidity in summer and add it in winter, further improving the experience for anyone coming into the restaurant. Plus, this type of system enables there to be different temperature zones throughout a building, so that a kitchen and dining room could be set at different temperatures for optimal comfort.
How much does a restaurant HVAC system cost?
A restaurant HVAC system can cost between $4,850 and $9,400, but this can vary wildly depending on a variety of factors, such as the size of your restaurant, your region, ductwork, and energy efficiency. Commercial HVAC energy efficiency will impact the cost, and higher efficiency units tend to come with higher upfront costs. However, investing in energy efficient HVAC will save restaurants in the long run as increasing efficiency lowers energy usage and monthly operating costs.
How to save energy in a restaurant?
The best way to enact energy conservation in restaurants is to install energy efficient equipment, such as ENERGY STAR appliances, high efficiency HVAC systems, LED lighting, and improved refrigeration controls. They use less energy, and when paired with innovative technologies like smart thermostats and monitoring devices, they can optimize energy usage for maximum saving. Reducing water consumption can also save energy in a restaurant, as heating water consumes a high level of energy, especially in commercial kitchens and bathrooms. Plus, using energy management software that tracks consumption can provide insight into how much you are using each month and identify areas of waste in your restaurant that you can then fix through more proactive equipment maintenance to fix anything broken or better employee practices such as keeping refrigerator doors closed.
Why is it important to use energy conservation in the food service business?
The cost of running a restaurant is on the rise and increasing utility bills are putting many restaurant owners and other food service businesses in a dire financial situation. Energy conservation is an effective way to lower monthly operating costs and to fight rising energy prices. Plus, energy conservation also enables safer kitchens, as energy efficient equipment facilitates cleaner air, LED lighting makes brighter, more sanitized workspace, and more efficient coolers help restaurants avoid food spoilage and waste. Commercial kitchen energy savings practices are also sustainable, helping food service businesses reduce their carbon emissions and negative impact on the planet.
To learn more about restaurant energy efficiency and how you can join over 7,000 businesses already saving energy by partnering with Budderfly, contact us today.