Restaurants

Energy Saving Tips for Restaurants

Lights

• Install occupancy sensors or turn lights off in unoccupied areas, (walk-in coolers, storage, and break rooms), and take advantage of daylight from windows and skylights where possible.
• Use timers and keep them properly set for exterior lighting.
• Replace incandescent and halogen bulbs with ENERGY STAR^® qualified compact fluorescent or LED bulbs.
• Use LED lamps for exit signs instead of incandescent bulbs.
• Replace T12 fixtures with High-performance T8s (HPT8s) and T5s.
• Install dimmable ballasts and lighting controls to enable you to control light levels.

Heating & Cooling

• Make sure doors and windows have tight seals and keep them closed when running your air-conditioning system.
• Turn off exhaust hoods and lights when not needed and install variable speed controls for significant savings.
• Turn off all fans when the building is unoccupied.
• Install ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats and locking covers to prevent tampering.
• Install a refrigerant heat recovery system to use waste heat from walk-ins to preheat water.
• Consider landscaping such as trees and awnings for shading devices.
• Check equipment regularly (evaporative coolers, fans, pumps, etc.) for proper operation and maintenance needs.

Equipment

• Create a start-up and shut-down schedule for appliances (broilers, griddle, ranges ovens, fryers, coffee machines, warmers, heat lamps, etc.).
• Only run the dishwasher with full loads.
• Use a high-efficiency pre-rinse spray valve to reduce the use of hot water and wastewater costs.
• Maintain refrigerator door seals, clean condenser and coils monthly, and defrost appropriately.
• Purchase energy-efficient appliances such as insulated food holding cabinets and electric fryers, induction cook tops, and water-conserving dishwashers, for multiple savings.