This Program is Helping Restaurant Owners Save Big [INFOGRAPHIC]

The Energy Star symbol is a familiar sight on commercial foodservice equipment nowadays. If you're not taking advantage of these cutting edge products, you're pouring profits down the drain, my friend.

The Energy Star symbol is a familiar sight on commercial foodservice equipment nowadays. Contrary to popular belief, however, that little blue sticker does more for you than just yield a fuzzy warm feeling of pride for saving the planet. There's money to be saved by investing in equipment that meets Energy Star standards. If you're not taking advantage of these cutting edge products, you're pouring profits down the drain, my friend.

What is Energy Star?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency developed the Energy Star program to reduce pollution and make it easier for business and residential consumers alike to lower their energy consumption. Since its inception, the certification has become widely recognized as the standard for energy efficiency in the United States.

How does it affect me?

Energy Star products do benefit the environment through energy efficiency, and that same efficiency benefits your wallet. By using less energy than their standard counterparts, these products lower your utility bills and can save you some serious cash in the long run. For instance, an Energy Star rated dishwasher could potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars in energy consumption over its lifetime. A gas fryer with the Star certification can net you up to $4,000-$5,000 over a regular unit. That’s a serious chunk of change! Check out the infographic to see what you could be saving with an Energy Star product.

As you can see, buying an Energy Star rated product pays off in the long run. However, equipment with the EPA’s coveted Star certification often has a higher price tag than normal units. Don’t let that deter you; the cost-saving benefits will help you recoup that money in a reasonable amount of time. It doesn’t take a fortune teller to see you’re spending more money in the long run with a standard piece of equipment.

"A gas fryer with the Star certification can net you up to $4,000-$5,000 over a regular unit."

Let’s take a look at the difference in total cost between two fryers. Fryer A costs $1013 and is not Energy Star rated, while Fryer B does have the rating but costs $4691.95. Fryer A costs you $1535.58 per year in gas consumption compared to Fryer B’s $815.52 per year.¹ Over a standard 8 year lifespan,² Fryer B will save you $2081.53 in total cost (investment plus operation) over the total cost of Fryer A. See the chart below for the breakdown.

^{***Operating 12 hours per day with an average food amount of 200 lbs.***}

Don't forget about rebates!

Additionally, many energy companies offer rebates to help offset the initial cost of buying these resource-conserving products. They vary by location, so be sure to check out Energy Star's local rebate finder to determine if they’re available in your area and how much they might be. Getting money back in the mail definitely makes that higher price tag a little more palatable! See below for examples of local rebates

When you’re shopping for new equipment, don’t forget about Energy Star products; not only do they reduce environmental pollution, they also put money back in your pocket through reduced energy costs. Without them, you’re pouring your profits down the drain.

¹ Operating at 12 hours per day with 200 lbs of food produced
² The EPA estimates that most restaurant equipment lasts 8 years or more
³ Costs 1535.58 a year
⁴ Costs $815.22 a year