Benson Electrical Offers Restaurant Energy Savings Tips

It is a difficult time for restaurants, and Benson Electrical Contracting is helping restaurants find ways to save energy and money while improving operations during the downtime. “This is our way of helping to support our local businesses.” said Benson Electrical Contracting President, Tim Cunningham. “These measures can reduce their operating costs and also help them prepare to operate efficiently when the pace of service returns.”, stated Cunningham.

No matter what type of business, we should all consider raising or lowering thermostats to minimize HVAC energy use depending on weather. Consider installing smart programmable thermostats, which come with advanced features, such as remote control.

Consolidate food from multiple walk-in coolers or freezers into one unit. Refrigeration is a big energy expense for foodservice facilities. This allows you to shut off power to the empty units, significantly reducing your energy consumption.

Keep equipment clean. Carbon and grease buildup make cooking equipment work harder, consuming more energy. Although cleaning equipment is a daily task, now is the time to take a deep dive, thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing all the equipment in your entire kitchen. You’ll save energy and create a healthier and more comfortable workspace for your kitchen staff.

Turn off pilot lights on any equipment that will be out of use for an extended period of time. Pilot light on idle cooking equipment and water heating equipment continue to burn and use natural gas.

Reduce lighting. Turn off all lights in unoccupied spaces, except necessary security lighting. Install timers on security lights, and light sensors on outdoor lighting, so they operate only when needed. Turn off selected parking lot lighting while maintaining security.

Maintain equipment. Now is the time to perform maintenance on equipment around your facility to ensure efficient operation. Fix any water leaks and make sure refrigeration door gaskets are sealed correctly. Hire a qualified technician to clean and inspect your heating and electrical systems.

We’re in this together and here to help our local our local businesses.