Why Commercial Food Service Equipment?
Restaurants and commercial kitchens are one of the highest energy consumers among building types, using approximately 250,000 BTU or 73 kW per square foot. This is roughly 2-3 times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings, such as office buildings and retail stores; and high volume quick-service restaurants may use up to 5 times more energy!
The ENERGY STAR label can be found on models from nine commercial food service categories, representing the most efficient options available in the market (see savings in the savings table below). Categories undergoing a revision to their ENERGY STAR requirements as well as final product specifications can be found through the ENERGY STAR Specification Search tool.
Each product category covered by the ENERGY STAR program is supported by
- Buying guidance
- ENERGY STAR’s Product Finder tool to find and compare products by brand, features, etc.
- ENERGY STAR’s Rebate Finder and Database for Incentives and Joint Marketing Exchange (DIME) featuring available incentives submitted by program sponsors
- Filters and APIs to allow program sponsors to develop and host customized lists that meet their criteria (updated daily and include filter and export options).
Average Annual Bill and Energy Savings for ENERGY STAR Certified CFS Equipment
| Equipment Type | Annual Energy Bill Savings | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwashers | $300 | 2,400 kWh |
| Coffee Brewers | $35 | 330 kWh |
| Electric Fryers | $185-$240 | 1,790-2,390 kWh |
| Gas Fryers | $370-$420 | 50-58 MMBTU |
| Electric Griddles | $130 | 1,300 kWh |
| Gas Griddles | $90 | 12 MMBTU |
| Electric Ovens | $70-$650 | 650-7,100 kWh |
| Gas Ovens | $135-$205 | 18-27 MMBTU |
| Hot Food Holding Cabinets | $305 | 3,000 kWh |
| Ice Machines | $80 | 800 kWh |
| Refrigerators | $30-$40 | 285-400 kWh |
| Freezers | $55-$90 | 500-900 kWh |
| Electric Steam Cookers | $1,200 | 11,500 kWh |
| Gas Steam Cookers | $970 | 130 MMBTU |
Other types of equipment that can help improve building efficiency beyond the kitchen - including lighting, HVAC, and water heaters - are also covered by the ENERGY STAR program—see List of ENERGY STAR Energy Efficient Products.