How to Run an Energy-Efficient Restaurant
June 9, 2017You probably don’t need to be reminded of the high cost of electricity in running a restaurant compared to an energy-efficient restaurant.
Right now, many establishments, including restaurants, are going green and adopting eco-friendly strategies to conserve energy. Going green won’t just lower the cost of your restaurant’s electricity bill. It will also boost your brand by showing customers that you’re being a responsible member of your local and global community. To get started on the path to an energy-efficient restaurant, check out our tips below.
- Know How Much Energy You’re Using
You can only ascertain this by contacting your electricity company. They will provide a breakdown of what your electricity consumption looks like and the cost of what you are using. With that in mind, you can set goals in terms of reducing your usage and aiming towards an energy-efficient restaurant.
- Use Only Energy Star Equipment
You can’t do without ovens, grills, refrigerators, and many other kitchen essentials. What you can do without is the guzzling of electricity by these appliances. Now is the time to shift to energy-efficient restaurant equipment that use a fraction of the energy that older models use.
Replacing equipment can be expensive, so you may want to start by first replacing your oldest equipment and making a plan to phase out the rest of your energy-intensive appliances over time. With the savings on your utility bill, you will save money over the long run.
- Cut Down on Heat Usage
Heat is absolutely necessary for an energy-efficient restaurant, but its usage can be reduced to save costs if you have the willingness to do so. One simple way is to optimize your water temperature so that it’s not any hotter than it needs to be. Even for dishwashing, ensure you are not going far above the 140 degrees Fahrenheit stipulated by NRA.
- Shut Down Idle Equipment
You may not believe this, but just like every other restaurant, you are probably wasting hundreds of dollars on idle equipment. Instruct your staff to turn off equipment when it’s not being used. You can a go a step further by using timers for outdoor lighting. Boom, now you’re one step closer for an energy-efficient restaurant.
- Maintain and Service Equipment Regularly
You’re overworking your restaurant equipment if you’re not servicing and cleaning it regularly. Any worn out parts of your dishwasher, toasters, sandwich makers, ice machines and refrigerators should be replaced for a more more energy-efficient restaurant.
- Use Only Energy-Efficient Restaurant Lighting
Energy-efficient restaurant light bulbs are easy to install and they save you money on your electric bill. For the most energy savings, use energy efficient light bulbs everywhere – including the dining area, the kitchen, the bathrooms and outdoor lighting.
- Adjust Your Kitchen Layout
If your oven is near your ice machine, both appliances will require more energy to maintain their temperatures. There must be a separation between heating and cooling systems. Keep similar systems together and away from others.
6 Equipment Buying Tips Every Restaurant Owner Needs to Know
If you own a restaurant, knowing how to purchase the right equipment is one of the key ingredients to the success of your company. Here’s a bit of advice to help you become a purchasing pro: Our 6 Restaurant Equipment Buying Tips 1. Consider your current situation and...
Don’t Buy a Commercial Refrigerator Before Considering These 4 Things
A commercial refrigerator is an equipment staple of every restaurant. There are several things to consider when acquiring a commercial refrigerator for your kitchen. When searching for the correct type of unit, here are four things to consider to help you choose the...
5 Ways to Get the Most out of Your Dishwasher
Dishwashers are an incredibly helpful timesaver, and in the fast-paced restaurant industry, staff and managers are desperate for even a small amount of extra time. Although simply putting dishes into a machine seems simple, if your dishwasher is not well-maintained...
How to Keep Having Fun while Running your Restaurant
Restaurant owners typically have a passion for cuisine. Opening and running a restaurant is exciting, providing the opportunity to fully explore and develop your vision. However, if you have been in the restaurant business for any length of time, you know that it is...
3 Great Reasons to Maintain Your Restaurant Equipment
As the owner of a restaurant, you want a healthy and clean business. In the hustle of everyday restaurant management, it can be easy to forget to take care of issues that don’t seem as pressing as the customer complaining that they got the wrong order or that their...
Avoid Surprises During an Appraisal of Your Restaurant Equipment
When it comes to time for your restaurant equipment to be appraised, confusion can set in. For the purpose of the appraisal, personal goods are given value, but goods that are classified as ‘real goods’ are considered part of the real estate or the building structure...
Essentials of Cleaning and Preventative Maintenance for Your Restaurant Equipment
When it comes to your restaurant equipment, regular cleaning and maintenance is essential for making sure your equipment lasts for years to come. And it isn’t simply a matter of making your food processors and commercial mixers more efficient. There are considerable...
3 Tips for Maintaining Your Commercial Oven
As a restaurant owner, buying a commercial oven is an enormous investment. You will desperately want this oven to work properly and you need to make sure it does. You are responsible for your restaurant business. But what if your commercial oven stops working on the...
5 Steps to Cutting Food Waste from Your Kitchen
Food waste is a problem around the world. Taking steps to prevent food waste in your kitchen doesn’t just make your restaurant more morally strong; it can also help you save money on ingredients and attract more customers. Here are some steps you can take to reduce...
Planning Your Equipment Needs When Your Restaurant is Expanding
Your restaurant is doing great, guests are coming in, and they’re spreading the word about the culinary masterpieces your restaurant offers, as well as the exceptional service that is provided by the kitchen equipment and staff. But with all the new business, you’ve...
How to Keep Cool in the Restaurant Kitchen
Being in the kitchen, it’s hard not to feel overheated, especially during the summer. The heat of the stoves and ovens will quickly make the restaurant kitchen somewhere you don’t want to be. How do you keep cool in the kitchen? We have brought together some of the...
How and Why to Make Your Restaurant Lead-Free
If you own a restaurant, then you already know how important water is to your operations, and that poor water quality can adversely impact the success of your business. That is why you should ensure a restaurant lead-free environment. Water is an integral part of all...
Can You Handle These 5 Types of Difficult Restaurant Customers?
No matter how much you love it, running a restaurant certainly has its challenges. It is time-consuming, hectic, labor-intensive and competitive. And to cap it all, there are the difficult restaurant customers you often have to deal with. It’s impossible to please...
5 Unique Restaurant Concepts Guaranteed to Thrill Diners
With restaurants on almost every block, having a unique restaurant concept can help set you apart, making your establishment stand out. These concepts may have taken a bit to catch on, but they have quickly become popular sellers. Here are 5 unique restaurant concepts...
Tipping: A Restaurant Controversy
When it comes to tipping or no-tipping policies in restaurants, there are strong feelings on both sides. While many restaurants have implemented no tipping policies, others are strong proponents for tipping. Still others aren’t sure which policy is right for their...