saving energy
Energy Efficiency
The move over recent years towards energy efficiency, resulting in the ECA Scheme, the Climate Change Levy and the Kyoto Agreement, has made energy efficient kitchen equipment even more important to caterers. This is particularly so in the case of refrigeration, as the refrigerator is one of the few pieces of equipment in the kitchen that uses energy 24/7, 365 days a year.
Now, as businesses experience increased costs for their gas and electricity, with prices set to rise by 10% again this year, the search for energy-saving equipment has stepped up a gear.
Minimising energy usage is a must, but fortunately there are many ways that caterers can make savings on fuel bills simply by making sure that they and their staff put in place the energy saving tips listed.
Tips include looking into the location of your fridge within the kitchen, as this can affect its energy usage, and ensure that the running temperature is correctly set to suit the type of food stored. By setting the refrigerator to the correct temperature your energy usage should drop significantly.
Make The Right Choice
When choosing new refrigeration equipment, there are several factors to take into account.
You should check with the manufacturer who should be able to advise you of annual energy usage levels, and ensure that they are ECA Scheme registered and have rigorously maintained quality control and policies.
Breakdown rates, leak tolerances etc should be subjected to strict controls.
Ensure that your supplier can offer maintenance contracts, and preferably that they use factory-trained technicians to carry these out. You should also check that your potential supplier has achieved the ISO 14001 environmental standard.
Choose a refrigerator size based on the needs of your kitchen, and consider what refrigerant it uses: in independent tests Hydrocarbon has been shown to use up to 13% less energy than the widely used R404a refrigerant.
Ensure that your supplier has a "Zero Leak Tolerance" policy with regard to its refrigerant, as small leaks can double energy consumption.
Trident Refrigeration supply tips on choosing a refrigerator with an energy efficient design, and emphasise the importance of regular service and maintenance in keeping running costs and energy usage to a minimum. Regular servicing is vital for food safety reasons but can also have a dramatic effect on energy consumption:
A partially blocked condenser increases energy usage by 23%
A 15% Refrigerant leak sees a 100% increase in energy consumption
A faulty door seal will cause an 11% increase in energy consumption
Incorrect temperature settings cause a 6% increase in energy usage
To make immediate savings or to receive further information or a quotation please click here to contact Trident Refrigeration.
Contact Trident Today and let us help you to make the right choices for your business and the environment!