ENERGY STAR Rebates & Utility Savings
Buildings with commercial kitchens, including restaurants, hotels, schools, and hospitals, consume five to seven times more energy than other commercial buildings1, so it's especially important for foodservice operators to know the benefits of purchasing energy-efficient appliances. Looking for equipment with the blue ENERGY STAR logo is a great way to ensure you invest in money-saving pieces.
About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program sponsored by the EPA that encourages manufacturers to produce energy-efficient appliances, promoting these products and their benefits to consumers. This program's bright blue logo visibly indicates equipment that meets their standards. The overall goal of the program is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing product features or quality.
ENERGY STAR equipment must undergo initial testing and intermittent off-the-shelf testing by third-party, independent labs to certify they remain energy efficient throughout production. Certification is available currently for commercial dishwashers, holding cabinets, fryers, griddles, steamers, ovens, ice makers, refrigerators, freezers, and water heaters. Each type of commercial equipment has its own set of specifications regarding energy use and water consumption, where applicable, that it must meet to be certified.
Savings Potential
Because of the advanced technology used to ensure their energy efficiency, ENERGY STAR-certified products often have higher sticker prices than standard commercial appliances, which can deter budget-conscious shoppers. However, the difference in price is recovered easily over time through utility savings and tax credits.
For a good idea how much ENERGY STAR appliances may save you, consider getting an energy audit. Many utility companies offer energy audits for free and it is well worth the time, as it shows you where most of your energy costs come from. That can indicate where to start when purchasing energy-efficient equipment.
To get a general idea of how much energy-efficient appliances can save your business, see the table below:
| Equipment | Standard Equipment Energy Use | ENERGY STAR Equipment Energy Use | Dollar Savings Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-door Reach-in Refrigerator | 2,533 kW | 1,256 kW | $132 |
| Gas Convection Oven | 829 therms | 729 therms | $92 |
| Electric Combi Oven | 15,739 kW | 10,662 kW | $524 |
| Gas Fryer | 2,281 therms | 1,599 therms | $629 |
| 36-in. Electric Griddle | 19,259 kW | 17,901 kW | $140 |
| 36-in. Gas Griddle | 2,230 therms | 1,228 therms | $1,177 |
| Low-temp, Door-type Dishwasher | 39,064 kW | 23,000 kW | $1,658 |
In addition to utility savings, optimizing your commercial kitchen's energy efficiency can pay off in ENERGY STAR rebates. Local utilities often offer rebates on certain ENERGY STAR-certified purchases to mitigate the higher sticker price and encourage the use of energy-efficient appliances. Rebates as high as several thousand dollars are available in some areas. Verify if your local utility offers this service on the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder.3
NOTE: Data in the table above is taken from ENERGY STAR's savings calculator for food service equipment2 and calculated based on national average energy prices of $0.1032/kWh and $0.922/therm. Usage is based on 10 operating hours per day, 363 days per year. Fryer figures are based on 350 lbs. of food per day, griddle figures are based on 200 lbs. daily, oven figures are based on 200 lbs. a day, and dishwasher figures are based on washing 280 racks per day.
References
- ENERGY STAR for Small Business: Restaurants. ENERGY STAR. Accessed May 2023.
- Commercial Kitchen Equipment Savings Calculator. ENERGY STAR. Accessed May 2023.
- ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder. ENERGY STAR. Accessed May 2023.