How to Improve Energy Efficiency in a Restaurant

Restaurants use more than twice the energy of an average commercial building of the same size.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceEnergy StarProgram run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy focused on educating consumers about energy efficiencyGo to source} Monitoring your energy usage is one of the best ways to balance your budget. An energy audit can help you identify where you're spending the most money. Then, making changes like using and maintaining energy-efficient appliances, taking care of your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, and turning off lights you aren’t using by installing different sensors can help you cut costs. Restaurants are all about teamwork, so ask your staff to pitch in as well. Not only will you save money, but you will do your part to protect valuable natural resources.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Performing an Energy Audit

1
Contact your utility providers to ask them for an energy audit. Give them a call for an in-depth analysis of your restaurant. Have copies of your energy bills to show the auditor when they arrive. They will then look around for damaged insulation, leaks, and other issues you can fix to improve your energy flow. Auditors also test appliances and other equipment to pinpoint specific ways to improve energy efficiency.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Tell the auditor about any specific problems you have noticed in the restaurant. For instance, if one part of building stays warmer and colder than the other, let them know so they can find the cause.
- If your utility companies don’t provide auditing services, hire an independent auditing company to take a look at your restaurant.
2
Make repairs and changes according to feedback from the audit. Speak with the auditor for a list of recommendations to improve your energy efficiency. The first step is to repair any immediate leaks that could damage the building, followed by replacing outdated equipment. You may also be instructed to implement bigger changes, such as by insulating areas that let out hot air or installing new range vents.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Go down the checklist given to you by the auditor and mark off the energy-saving tips one by one as you complete them. If you do as many as you can, you will save a lot of energy.
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3
Ask your employees to get involved by saving energy. Teach all of your employees about what you do to conserve energy in the restaurant. With proper training, they can help cut down on costs even when you’re busy. Share the results of the audit with them, then make a list of all the solutions you’re implementing. Consider rewarding employees that do a good job following energy-efficient practices.^{[4]XResearch source}
- For example, you could use some of your savings to buy employees lunch after they successfully improve their efficiency. Your restaurant staff is a team, so make energy efficiency a team activity.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Reducing Energy Used By Appliances

1
Shut down equipment when you aren’t using it. One of the most basic ways to avoid energy waste is by limiting how often you use appliances. Many people don’t realize how many of their systems run all day long. If you’re not cooking with something, give it a rest. Even if an appliance is off for a short amount of time each day, you're still conserving energy.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Fryers, for example, are big energy hogs. Although they are a necessity in many kitchens, try to find time to shut them off, such as during the hours between lunch and dinner service.
- Make a schedule for operating the equipment and systems in your restaurant, then teach it to your staff. Let them know when they should shut appliances down.
2
Replace your old equipment with energy-efficient models. While purchasing new equipment may be more expensive than repairing what you already have, it could save you a lot of money in the long run. Refrigerators, fryers, ovens, and water heaters are a few options to swap out as they break down. Look for replacements certified as energy efficient, such as with the Energy Star rating in the U.S.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Energy-efficient systems reduce energy usage by anywhere from 10% to 70%. If you convert your entire kitchen, the savings quickly add up.
3
Maintain and repair your equipment as it begins to break down. Take care of problems as soon as you notice them to prevent them from getting worse. Damaged equipment leaks energy. Even if those leaks don’t seem like a big deal, the costs add up over time. You’re wasting energy and money if you let your refrigerator drip or your freezer door hang open, for instance.^{[7]XResearch source}
- In refrigerators and freezers, replace the rubber gaskets around the doors. Old gaskets lead to leaks and doors that won’t close.
- Appliances with missing adjustment knobs also tend to waste additional energy. You can’t set your stove precisely if the control for the burner is gone.
4
Cook more on the energy-efficient appliances you own. Tweak your menu to cook more with the kitchen equipment that uses the least amount of energy. Instead of serving fried fish and wings, for instance, try coming up with dishes that can be prepared in a steamer or pressure cooker. Reduce your usage of rotisseries and broilers, since they burn a lot of energy.^{[8]XResearch source}
- For example, try implementing new dishes that take advantage of your energy-efficient equipment. Steer guests toward those dishes and shut off your costlier equipment.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Making Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Systems Efficient

1
Shut off heat sources in the restaurant when they are not in use. Remember that your cooking appliances will give off plenty of heat on their own. Maintain the restaurant at a comfortable temperature for your guests, accounting for the extra heat coming from the kitchen. Lights also add residual heat, so turn off ones you don’t need or dim them.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Take advantage of the weather, such as by opening windows when possible to let out excess heat. Well-sealed windows keep in warm air during the colder months.
- If temperature control is a big problem in your restaurant, you may benefit from having a specialist check the building’s insulation.
2
Recalibrate any temperature control mechanisms in the restaurant. Thermostat controls change over time and require readjustment. To recalibrate a thermostat, turn the appliance on and hold a thermometer in front of it. Compare the temperature to the setting you used, and then make an adjustment after turning the heat off. Many electronic thermostats require you to press a pair of buttons to enter calibration mode, where you can change the temperature to the correct setting.^{[10]XResearch source}
- For mechanical thermostats such as your oven, find a small screw and turn it with a screwdriver or pliers. On an oven, the screws are underneath the control knobs.
- Calibrate thermostats every 90 days to ensure you get the most out of them. If the temperature readout seems to be way off from the setting you’re using, call a technician for repairs.
3
Install a programmable thermostat for better temperature control. With a programmable thermostat, you can change a room’s temperature without being in the restaurant. You will need to pull off the old thermostat and wire the new one in place. Then, schedule temperature changes on different days of the week according to your restaurant’s needs.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceEnergy StarProgram run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy focused on educating consumers about energy efficiencyGo to source}
- For example, program in your restaurant’s hours of operation. You could set the lights to turn on when your staff arrives and turn off when they leave.
4
Change air filters at least every 3 months as they get dirty. Air filters pick up dust and all sorts of other debris. As they get clogged up, your kitchen systems stop working the way you want them to. Maintain your building’s heaters, air conditioners, and ventilation hoods. They all use the same basic type of filter, which is easy to slide out and replace with a clean one.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceEnergy StarProgram run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy focused on educating consumers about energy efficiencyGo to source}
- For the best results, inspect the filters every month, especially during winter and summer. If a filter looks black, replace it to keep your systems running at optimal efficiency.
5
Get bigger ventilation hoods to collect heat and smoke. Ovens and other smoke-producing accessories all need to be under a sizable hood. Make sure these systems have energy-efficient fans strong enough to draw contaminants out of the kitchen. The hood ducts take all of that stuff outside so your kitchen can run at peak efficiency.^{[13]XResearch source}
- If a ventilation hood is too small and weak, it won’t be able to collect all the heat and debris when you cook. That could cause your kitchen to overheat and get dirtier than normal.
6
Order a yearly tune-up for your heating and cooling systems. Make friends with a trustworthy HVAC professional in your neighborhood since you need to see one regularly. An HVAC professional cleans out your air conditioning and furnace system. They also identify and repair damaged portions to keep your systems in working order.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceEnergy StarProgram run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy focused on educating consumers about energy efficiencyGo to source}
- While you can work to maintain these systems, you can’t really service them on your own. Let a professional help keep them efficient and find problems before they grow into bigger issues.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Installing Efficient Lighting Systems

1
Replace old light bulbs with fluorescent or LED bulbs. Light bulbs are easy to overlook, but newer models are far more efficient than older ones. Get some T8 fluorescent bulbs for all of your overhead lighting. Then, replace old electronic signs with new LED models. Swapping out bulbs is a quick, inexpensive process that leads to big savings down the line.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceU.S. Department of EnergyOfficial site for the U.S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiencyGo to source}
- For example, a new fluorescent bulb can be 25% more efficient than an old one. All you have to do is twist out the old bulb and put the new one in!
- LED bulbs last longer, provide more light, and are more efficient than neon or fluorescent signs. They also don’t have toxic gasses like those bulbs do, so they are recyclable.
2
Use daylight sensors for an automatic way to turn exterior lights off. These sensors, also called photocells, detect and adjust to the amount of light present. They will turn on at night and deactivate during the day. To install one, you will need to wire the fixture to a junction box or have an electrician do it for you.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceEnergy StarProgram run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy focused on educating consumers about energy efficiencyGo to source}
- Sensors are great if you forget to turn off outdoor lights before you head home for the night. Many restaurants make the mistake of leaving lights on all day.
3
Install occupancy sensors to shut off unused lights in smaller rooms. Occupancy sensors work similarly to other types of sensors but, instead of detecting light, they detect motion. If you have ever stepped in front of an automatic door, these sensors work the same way. They ensure that you don’t waste power on rooms that aren’t in use. The best part is that you don’t have to send someone to flip the light switch whenever you want to save electricity!^{[17]XResearch source}
- Occupancy sensors work best in spaces like bathrooms and small offices. Some grocery stores have also started putting them in refrigeration units to keep the lights off until someone walks by.
4
Install dimmer switches for better control over the room lighting. Unscrew the old switch plates from the wall to replace them with more efficient dimmers. After deactivating the electricity, pull the wires off of the old switches and plug them into the new ones. Dimmers give you more control over the range of lighting and atmosphere your restaurant has to offer.
- With normal switches, your options are on or off. Dimmers allow you to choose the appropriate light level according to the time of day. Save money with low lighting in the daytime.
- Also, look for automatic daylight dimmers that adjust light fixtures on their own according to how much light they detect.
5
Rewire the light systems to take advantage of bi-level switching. With bi-level switching, you can control different sets of lights from a single location. You might have a pair of switches that each control half of the overhead lights in the restaurant. Normally, these lights would all be wired to the same switch, so you would have to turn all of them on. Bi-level switching allows you to turn off the lights you don’t need. ^{[18]XResearch source}
- For example, you could seat customers in one half of the restaurant while keeping the lights off in the other half. Another option is to turn off half of the lights when you don’t need them in the daytime.
- Wiring a switch isn’t too challenging but it can be unsafe if you’re not careful. Hire an electrician to examine the wiring and reroute it as needed.
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Tips

Remember to clean the cooling coils in your refrigerators once a month. They are on the back and bottom edges outside the refrigerator and become less efficient as they get dirty.
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If you don’t already have a strip curtain and automatic door closer in your walk-in refrigerator, use them to seal cold air in.
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Save water in the restaurant by turning off faucets when they’re not in use, recycling grey water, and installing low-flow pre-rinse spray valves.
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Warnings

Working on electrical systems is hazardous, so turn the power off and take all possible safety precautions before touching anything. Hire an electrician if you’re unable to do the work yourself.
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You may not be able to do any sort of serious construction work if you don’t own the space your restaurant is in. Check with the owner before making changes.
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