For restaurants, electricity costs can be one of the most expensive parts of operating a business. While you can’t control the cost of the electricity itself, there are some simple ways to reduce your restaurant’s energy usage and save money. You can seek assistance from Business Energy Comparison to find the best business electricity rates. Here are some tips for reducing your restaurant’s electric bill:
Smart Thermostats
One of the easiest ways for restaurants to save money on their monthly electricity bill is by using a smart thermostat. These devices can save you up to 40% on your air conditioning costs because they’re programmable. You can use them to lower the temperature during off hours (say, shortly after midnight), raise it during peak hours, and raise it even more during times when electricity prices are highest.
Updated Lighting
The first step in reducing electricity costs is to replace your old bulbs with newer, more efficient ones.
- Consider LED lighting: An LED bulb costs about half that of a traditional incandescent bulb and lasts for years, so you can save money on replacement costs. A bonus is that LEDs don’t emit as much heat, making it easier on the environment and your air conditioning system. They also reduce light pollution, meaning you won’t bother your neighbors with any glare from outside lights (or streetlights) shining into their windows after dark.
- Consider motion sensors: Motion sensors turn lights on only when needed (e.g., when someone enters a room), saving energy by keeping lights off more often than not. Plus, it makes rooms look brighter because there are no shadows cast by bulbs left burning continuously throughout the day or night.
Pre-Rinsing Dishes
Pre-rinsing dishes before they go into the dishwasher will save your restaurant water and energy. The average dishwasher uses less water than hand washing and less energy.
Hand washing dishes is an easy way to save money on utilities, but if you have a large staff and a busy kitchen, it might be more efficient to use a dishwasher—especially if you’re open late or have a lot of take-out orders.
Consider Your Kitchen Equipment
The first thing you should consider is the size of your kitchen. If your restaurant is small, it’s likely that you don’t need an industrial-sized stove or fryer. Smaller equipment will be more energy efficient and cost-effective since they won’t use as much energy to operate.
Next, think about where your kitchen is located about its layout. For example, if the hoods are placed in front of windows or doors, this can make keeping them clean much harder—and may require more frequent service calls due to clogged filters or other problems caused by excessive heat buildup.
Slow Cooker Overnight Shift
A slow cooker can be used overnight to keep food warm. If you have a restaurant, this is a great way to save energy.
The slow cooker uses less energy than the oven or stovetop, and it can be left on all day without the worry of burning up your refrigerator’s power while they’re not being used.
Conclusion
Restaurants can make changes to save money on their electricity bills by making smart choices with their thermostats, updating the lighting in the kitchen, pre-rinsing dishes, and considering their equipment. By reducing costs and becoming more eco-friendly, restaurants will be able to stay profitable while also being good stewards of our planet’s resources.
