Owning and managing a restaurant can be a very daunting task, especially when it comes to staying within your budget. Purchasing ingredients, marketing the restaurant, and general operational costs can all affect your budget, but did you know your energy consumption does as well?
According to ENERGY STAR, restaurants use about 2.5 times more energy per square foot than any other type of commercial building. The most significant factor attributing to this is the use of energy in the kitchen. Learn how to reduce energy consumption and lower overall energy costs with these helpful tips below.
Restaurant Energy Guide
Using Natural Gas for Cooking and Heating Your Restaurant
Did you know that natural gas is more cost-effective and efficient than both propane and electricity? Operating your restaurant and its kitchen solely off of natural gas has three essential benefits that propane and electricity cannot offer – reduced operational costs, reliable access to power, and it’s a clean and efficient fuel source.
Not only is natural gas an incredibly efficient source of power, but it’s also domestic – as in the largest source is found in Pennsylvania, which makes the price more stable and affordable because it isn’t inflated with additional shipping and processing fees.
Making Smart and Efficient Energy Decisions
Optimizing your restaurant’s energy use – from the light fixtures to the grill – can help prolong the life of your energy and reduce costs, which could allow you to reallocate funds to other areas of your restaurant. Check out these tips to get the most out of your energy supply.
- Changing all light bulbs to LED light bulbs can save you 6-8 watts of power per light bulb. That’s thousands of watts of power in savings, which translates into cost savings. LED light bulbs also have an average lifespan of over 50,000 hours, nearly 40 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
- For restaurants, one of the best ways to conserve energy is by shutting off idling equipment or unnecessary lighting. Turning off the dining room lighting, computers, and cooking equipment when not in use can help trim down your energy consumption.
- Do you have an efficient layout of the kitchen? For some restaurants, their ice maker is next to the grill, which causes the ice maker to run longer due to the heat of grill melting or slowing the ice being made. Take a look at your layout and make sure equipment isn’t hindering the function of the machine next to it.
Knowing the Facts Behind Energy-Saving Decisions
Switching to energy-efficient equipment and trying to reduce the overall consumption of energy sounds great, but what’s the true statistical impact of those changes? Take a look at these energy facts for restaurants.
- Restaurants can save up to 30 percent on their energy bills by switching to ENERGY STAR equipment.
- ENERGY STAR LED light bulbs use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs.
- 58 percent of customers favor eco-friendly, energy-efficient restaurants, according to the National Restaurant Association.
Shopping for Energy to Get the Best Service
Switching your current energy source to natural gas can be a smooth and seamless process. A common misconception is that when switching energy sources, there will be an interruption in service. UGI EnergyLink takes the extra step in communicating with your current energy provider to switch your energy source on the next available date that best suits you. Ready to shop for your energy? Visit our Shopping for Rates page to learn more about the process and to receive a free quote.
Terms and Definitions
Knowing the terminology and what they mean will help make you a smarter energy saver. Check out some key energy terms and definitions below.
- Watt: The basic unit of electricity demand, equivalent to one joule per second.
- British Thermal Unit (BTU): The amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
- Customer Choice/Deregulation: Allows customers to purchase energy directly from energy suppliers. This allows customers to shop around for the best price for their energy needs.
Restaurant Energy Guide
Looking for more energy tips to help your restaurant save money and energy? Our Restaurant Energy Guide, filled with helpful tips and information for restaurant owners, offers the tools you need to become a powerful energy saver. This helpful guide is filled with:
- Pros and cons of different energy types
- Energy shopping and what it means to have the power of choice
- Tips for saving on energy costs, along with seasonal-specific energy saving tips
- Natural gas and electricity safety tips and precautions
- Restaurant energy facts
- Terms and definitions of essential energy terms
- An FAQ for restaurant owners
- Emergency utility phone numbers
Get your copy of the Restaurant Energy Guide today! For more information on commercial energy, switching your energy provider, or which energy source is right for you, visit the Commercial Energy section of our website or call 1-800-427-8545.