Methods Of Saving Energy Consumption On Restaurant Equipment

author avatar

0 Followers

[caption class="snax-figure" align="aligncenter" width="1140"][/caption]

Restaurants consume more energy than nearly any other economic enterprise. However, minimizing that usage is never an easy task because of the sometimes overwhelming time pressures and several other constraints experienced by cafe managers and owners.

Cutting costs on electricity is, however, far easier than many restaurant operators believe. Restaurant heat, ventilating, and heating and cooling (HVAC) units, as well as refrigeration, are prime targets for managers and owners looking for simple methods to save energy expenditures.

There are several methods for restaurant operators to save energy by utilizing their refrigeration goods and techniques. Some of them are simple and inexpensive. Others may be more time-consuming or costly in the short term, but they can pay off big in the long run.


Turn Off Door Heaters

A cafe could save $75 per year by turning off door heaters. 1 It is unnecessary to keep the door heater active until there is heavy ice on the door or moisture dropping on the carpet from the front of the fridge.


Make Airflow Better

Placing or relocating walk-in refrigerators and freezers so they are not in congested areas improves airflow and reduces business power usage. In those narrow confines, the temperature will accumulate, letting the refrigerator or freezer work more hours.


Make Condenser And Evaporator Coils Cleaned

Dirty condensing and evaporator coils obstruct the flow of air, lowering freezer performance and requiring up to 90percent extra power. Coils that are dirty cause more mechanical issues, which cost a lot of money and time.


Setting Defrost Cycle

Defrost processes are sometimes set to run for more time by restaurant staff. Four 15-minute defrost rounds per day are usually sufficient, but this period might vary based on the cafe and the goods getting defrosted. To configure correctly the duration of defrosting sessions, utilize the needles on the outside circle of the defrost timer. The duration within each defrost session is then determined by adjusting the middle dial.


 Insulating The Suction Lines

On a cooling system with remote condensers, vacuum lines transport liquid coolant from the evaporator towards the compressor. By preventing the vacuum lines from accumulating heat throughout this procedure, the complete refrigeration program can operate more effectively and use less power. All that is required is the addition of some low-cost insulation to the vacuum lines.


Check Refrigerant Charge

The compressor is placed under additional strain when walk-ins have insufficient coolant. Check for the small door on the condenser which displays the coolant pipe to monitor coolant levels. If observable bubbles appear while the machine is operating, it is important to have the refrigerant recharged by a certified restaurant HVAC specialist.


Change Old Gaskets

Changing broken or damaged cooler or freezer gaskets can drastically cut restaurant expenditures by minimizing power losses. Some hotel HVAC specialists will repair all damaged gaskets in restaurants on a turnkey basis.


Use Automatic Door Closers On Walk-In Refrigerators

Automatic door closers are one of the cheapest and efficient energy management systems. They're also quite simple to set up. Simply connect these to the device or freezer's walk-in door hinges to maintain the temperature inside.


 Add Night Covers To Refrigerated Display Cases

Although open-case freezer screens are a good way to show off foodstuff, they could be a big energy waste, particularly when the business is shut. Placing night coverings retains cooler air within the box, reducing the need for it to run full capacity full night. 


Replace With LED Lightings

LED lights and fittings are one of the most energy-efficient options available. LEDs have numerous advantages, however, they are particularly efficient in decreasing cooling energy consumption. LEDs outperform incandescent bulbs in coolers since they perform efficiently in cold conditions, last more, and emit less heat.


Install An Ice Machine

While selecting a new ice machine, bear the following in mind: capacity and efficiency. To determine an ice machine's performance, look up the energy and water consumption figures for every product. Makers of ice machines freely provide this data to AHRI. Larger ice makers are often more functional than smaller counterparts, therefore storage is vital. A bigger ice maker will allow you to generate sufficient ice ahead of schedule, during the off-hours, to minimize having to produce during peak hours while the cost of electricity is higher.


Install ECMs On Evaporator Fans

ECMs or electronically commutated motors are much more effective evaporation fan engines than traditional standard performance shaded-pole fans. With cheaper monthly electricity bills and fewer repairs, this minor change to walk-in refrigerators and commercial freezers can save restaurants a lot of money in the long run.


Add Evaporator Fan Controllers

Evaporator vent regulators increase the energy consumption of walk-in refrigerators and freezers by limiting airflow while the compressor is turned off and dramatically reducing fan engine speed during these periods. This technique allows walk-ins to run at near-peak efficiency, lowering power consumption when they aren't in use.


Purchase ENERGY STAR®-Certified Equipment

It's critical to search for the ENERGY STAR label while getting new kitchen appliances. When compared to competitive items, ENERGY STAR-certified devices use less energy, which is particularly true for refrigeration systems. Some ENERGY STAR-certified industrial refrigerators and freezers are also eligible for a variety of rebates. With an estimated yearly reduction of 30% on refrigerant power usage, these solutions can drastically cut restaurant expenditures.


Conclusion


Many new restaurant operators are working with limited budgets, which necessitates the careful selection of the used machinery. Since many cafes falter during their first couple of years, there is indeed a lot of high-quality, gently, well-maintained machinery on the marketplace. However, please remember that buying old equipment comes with a certain amount of risk. Of course, hiring a professional expert to evaluate the used machinery before purchase is the greatest alternative for reducing the danger of obtaining or faulty equipment. Discuss the option of obtaining a cheaper, cosmetically defective piece of machinery with the dealer or the maker. Cosmetically defective machinery is a valid choice to used machinery since you're not running an open kitchen.

Top
Comments (0)
Login to post.