Rising costs and skyrocketing electricity and heating prices are causing anxiety among many restaurant owners, as electricity alone accounts for approximately 70% of costs in the food service industry. While it’s impossible for a restaurant to eliminate electricity usage, there are opportunities for savings in almost every aspect of operations. Particularly in the cold months, it’s crucial to examine energy-saving measures in your restaurant or delivery service to minimise energy expenses and save money. In this blog post, we’ve gathered helpful tips and tricks on how you can conserve energy in your restaurant or takeaway service, reducing ongoing costs.
Energy-Saving Measures That Truly Help Restaurants
Numerous factors influence energy consumption in the food service industry. Therefore, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand all areas in your restaurant or delivery service where energy is used. Only then can you reduce energy consumption and save costs. Here are the most common areas in the food service industry where energy-saving measures are possible and beneficial. With our tips and tricks, you can positively impact energy consumption in your delivery service and save money.
Tip 1: Cook Energy-Efficiently
Start by reviewing your menu; there’s potential for significant savings here. If your menu features many dishes with low energy requirements, this can positively impact your electricity bill. Dishes with low energy requirements are those that either require no heating at all (e.g., salads, raw dishes) or only need brief heating. Dishes that require extended simmering or cooking are energy-intensive. Therefore, you can review your menu and consider removing “energy-intensive” dishes from the menu and replacing them with “energy-efficient” ones. You don’t need to overhaul your entire concept, but if you have many energy-intensive dishes on the menu with low demand, don’t hesitate to remove them (at least temporarily). Additionally, these simple kitchen tips are particularly valuable for energy savings:
- Turn on stove burners in a staggered manner and as late as possible.
- Use appropriately sized pot lids.
- Use an electric kettle instead of heating water in a pot.
- Heat only the required amount of water.
- Operate dishwashers, washing machines, etc., at different times to evenly distribute power consumption throughout the day and avoid “peak loads,” which energy providers charge more for.
Tip 2: Choose Kitchen Appliances with the Best Energy Efficiency Class
When it’s time for new kitchen equipment, don’t skimp on quality. Choose appliances with the highest energy efficiency class, even if they have a higher purchase price. The increased cost will be offset by lower consumption over a short period, resulting in long-term savings. Select appliances based on their annual operating costs rather than their purchase price. The EU energy label is a good indicator of energy efficiency when making purchases. Currently, A+++ is the best efficiency class, which can mean up to 60% less consumption compared to a Class A product.
Tip 3: Check Lighting
Look up at the ceiling; if you still have old incandescent bulbs or halogen spotlights, replace them with modern LEDs. While LEDs may be more expensive initially, they are significantly more energy-efficient and have longer lifespans, resulting in savings over time. Additionally, consider where motion detectors could be used to save even more electricity. Not all areas need continuous lighting (e.g., restrooms, backyards).
Tip 4: Maintain Heating Systems and Adjust Temperature
Regularly maintained heating systems provide the best possible heating. The necessary measures depend on the type of system. If in doubt, consult with a heating specialist. Sometimes, thorough cleaning and bleeding are sufficient.
Ensure that the temperature in the dining area does not exceed 22°C. Outside opening hours and in adjacent rooms, it can even be set lower. Lowering the temperature in your premises by just 1 degree results in a 6% reduction in heating costs. This can quickly pay off.
Tip 5: Ventilate Properly
Proper ventilation not only ensures a healthy indoor environment and fresh air exchange but also helps prevent energy wastage. Regularly clean the filters of ventilation systems and adjust them to the actual requirements. The installation of timers might also be considered. This way, you can adjust ventilation intervals to specific needs. Additionally, make sure that rooms are ventilated briefly and efficiently (shock ventilation). During this time, the heating should, of course, be turned off.
Tip 6: Optimise Cooling
For cooling, the golden rule is to use fewer, fully filled refrigerators rather than multiple underutilized ones. Regularly check the seals, as even minor damage can lead to significant energy loss. Cooling appliances should be placed in unheated and well-ventilated rooms with sufficient space (at least 5 cm) from the wall.
Cooling Rules:
- Set the correct cooling temperature.
- Consider cooling zones in the fridge (bottom is colder than the top).
- Remove ice as needed.
- Clean the condenser.
- Fill the refrigerator well.
- Regularly dust the cooling fins.
- Reduce the volume of air in the device, if necessary, with foam blocks.
- Do not place hot dishes in the fridge or freezer.
- Pack food items well; this prevents frost.
Tip 7: Switch OFF Instead of Standby Mode
Put an end to standby mode: Properly turn off devices that are not in use because this is the only way to prevent electricity consumption. Consider using timers on the relevant outlets to help with this. Also, educate your staff that electronic devices should only be on when needed.
Tip 8: Use Checklists and Signs
Especially if you have changing staff, working with signs and checklists is recommended. Even if you’re working alone in your establishment, checklists can help you establish an energy-efficient routine. Whether you label light switches with small notes or place daily checklists in important locations in your establishment, every small reminder helps turn new resolutions into habits. This way, you can manage many unnecessary energy consumers.
Tip 9: Seek Professional Advice
If you’re unsure which measures are sensible for your delivery service to save energy, consider getting assistance from your energy company. They can help you identify the right areas to focus on energy cost reduction. Since energy costs are a recurring expense, such consulting can be highly beneficial and may be partially subsidised.
Conclusion: Small Energy-Saving Measures, Big Impact
As with many initiatives, small changes can make a big difference. Even if you can’t implement all the tips and tricks right away, individual methods will help you save energy and reduce costs. In the hectic world of restaurants, even small actions are easily forgotten. Therefore, it’s important to remind yourself and your staff of these measures regularly. Clear instructions and regular checks will lead to long-term success. We wish you success in your energy-saving efforts.
