In addition to remodeling and replacing kitchen equipment, you can reduce your costs in several other areas during everyday operations. We have collected several savings tips, which are additional small changes you can make to achieve visible results. Run through our cost-cutting list!
Energy-saving tips for restaurants
Pay attention to proper maintenance!
Regular cleaning and repair of your technical equipment will not only help you to use your devices for as long as possible, but also to ensure that they operate with as little energy consumption as possible.
What should I pay attention to?
- The condenser tube (drain) of the refrigerator gets dirty easily, so the machine works at higher power to ensure the right temperature, which, however, causes more energy consumption. Regular cleaning of the drain helps to avoid this problem.
- The storage capacity and efficiency of a frozen freezer decreases, while the energy it uses increases. Pay attention to its frequent defrosting!
- If the rubber seal on the door of the refrigerators and freezers gets old, the efficiency of the equipment also decreases. Check the condition of the rubber seals regularly, replace them if necessary.
- The energy consumption of the equipment increases due to scaly components. Use a water filter to protect your machines from limescale, or use a water softener to help prevent limescale.
- The maintenance of extractors is also very important because a clogged structure - in addition to consuming more energy - can also be dangerous.
- Clean hob ensures the most efficient operation of the device.
Sign a maintenance contract for regular maintenance, so you can be sure that the necessary tasks will not be missed!
Reduce your water consumption!
- Install low-flow spray valves on your water faucets, which uses significantly less water. With modern low-flow spray faucets, both "slow" and "fast" operating modes can be selected, adapting to the current work process.
- Fix leaking and dripping faucets!
- You can save a significant amount of water by using dishwashers, if possible, avoid washing by hand!
- Extra water consumption due to taps left open can be avoided by installing infrared sensor faucets in the washrooms.
Use energy-saving light bulbs!
- On the one hand, you can significantly reduce costs, and on the other hand, you protect the environment with lower energy consumption.
- Using energy-saving light bulbs will also help the environment by conserving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- LED bulb – uses less energy than a traditional bulb and lasts up to 10 times longer.
- Energy-saving bulb - less efficient than LED, but lasts 4 times longer than a traditional bulb. It provides more light than LED bulbs, so it can be beneficial for lighting large rooms, such as the interior of restaurants.
- Where it can be solved - e.g. in corridors, washrooms, changing rooms - install motion detector lights, thereby reducing unnecessary lighting.
Decrease the use of heat!
- Invest in a smart thermostat - smart thermostats can be programmed remotely and can optimize energy use.
- Pay attention to the correct ventilation! Rather, ventilate more often, for shorter periods of time, so that the walls do not cool down, and avoid windows remaining in the down position. The hopper-casement is not an efficient way of ventilation, and it also contributes to the cooling of the walls.
- Use unheated hand dryers – Energy efficient hand dryers that rely on forced air instead of hot air can use up to 80% less energy than a standard hand dryer.
Reduce the room temperature in the kitchen!
- In addition to a lower ambient temperature, the equipment also works more efficiently, so they use less energy.
- Do not use tools that burn with flame - replace them with induction equipment. Induction technology transfers heat directly, while not heating up the ambient temperature.
Rationalize, switch off unused devices!
- You can also save energy by turning off equipment that is not in use for a long period of time.
- Check your storage rooms and refrigerators and in compliance with the regulations, pack in as small a space as possible. Always use only as much space as is absolutely necessary, so this way maybe an entire refrigerator can be freed up and can be switched off.
Make your kitchen design more efficient!
- The proper design of the kitchen allows all equipment to work most efficiently. There are several rules for proper design that help with this goal.
- Provide well-ventilated areas for your refrigerators! In order for them to function properly, it is necessary, on the one hand, to be in a well-ventilated place and, on the other hand, to ensure that the warm air is removed. Without it, the machines can only work with much higher energy consumption.
- Separate the cooling and heating equipment! For example, if you place the ice maker next to the oven, the warm air will prevent the ice maker from working efficiently.
Make your work processes more efficient!p
- Efficient organization of work processes not only enables quick and accurate preparation of food, but also saves energy. For example, if you want to bake several dishes, it is better to bake them at the same time or one after the other, so you can save the energy of reheating the oven.
Replace your unsuitable kitchen appliances!
- The pots which bottom is not straight does not fit properly on the hob, so it does not work efficiently.
- Inappropriate knives and cutting tools hinder the efficient, fast work.
Use the right size aggregator!
- By knowing exactly the energy demand of the devices, it is possible to avoid the use of a larger aggregator.
Terrace heating
- It is recommended to use blankets instead of heating in cold (non-winter) periods.
- Find out about new products and more energy-efficient solutions from manufacturers and distributors of terrace heating equipment!
It is important that energy efficiency is a common interest - involve your colleagues, talk about why this is important, so that they can be aware of the importance of the topic too. Small reminders next to the switches and at the sink further help the colleagues' commitment to the topic, as well as the adherence to the jointly defined new mode of operation.
Don't forget that in addition to the fact that implementing and following the above tips will help you save energy and costs, energy-conscious customers will especially appreciate this. Not to mention the environment!