Vending Machines for Consumers

ENERGY STAR qualified new and rebuilt refrigerated beverage vending machines can save building and business owners more than 1,700 kWh/year, or $150 annually on utility bills.

• New and rebuilt refrigerated beverage vending machines that have earned the ENERGY STAR are 50% more energy-efficient than standard machine models.
• ENERGY STAR qualified new and rebuilt vending machines incorporate more efficient compressors, fan motors, and lighting systems to keep beverages just as cold and the machine visible while using less energy.
• ENERGY STAR qualified new and rebuilt machines come with a low power mode option that allows the machine to be placed in low-energy lighting and/or low-energy refrigeration states during times of inactivity.

You may be interested to know that, according to the Consortium of Energy Efficiency, at least 25% of all rooftop HVAC units are oversized, resulting in increased energy costs and equipment wear. Properly sized equipment dramatically cuts energy costs, increases the life of the equipment, and reduces pollution.

Case Studies

• More About Rebuilt Machines
• Davis School District Case Study (77KB)
• U-M Case Study (62KB)
• SUNY-Buffalo Case Study (56KB)

Vending machines originally qualified for the ENERGY STAR label in April, 2004 and initially applied only to newly manufactured machine models. However, given the large remanufactured machine market, EPA expanded the program to rebuilt machines.

Commercial Vending Machine Key Product Criteria: ENERGY STAR

Learn How a Product Earns the Label

What else should I look for when buying a refrigerated beverage vending machine?

Most sites have a contract spanning several years with a vender operator, who is responsible for providing drinks, snacks, and other vending services. Generally the operator owns the vending machines but you may have some opportunities to work with them to get energy efficient machines that will cost you less to operate.

If your beverage contract will soon expire, request ENERGY STAR machines in your next request for proposals. You can use our sample procurement language, or some of your own.

If you are currently in the middle of a vending contract, talk to your operator about either converting your current fleet of vending machines to more efficient ENERGY STAR models or upgrading your existing machines to ENERGY STAR levels.

These FAQs represent the top ten related to Vending Machines and the ENERGY STAR program.