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Calculating the ROI of green equipmentCalculating the ROI of green equipment

Data outline savings potential of an energy-efficient kitchen

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

February 6, 2019

1 Min Read
restaurant kitchen equipment
piovesempre/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Cost has long been a perceived barrier to the adoption of energy efficient equipment at restaurants. Though many pieces of equipment can pay for themselves within a few years and yield notable savings, they can deliver sticker shock initially. 

For example, one Energy Star-rated double-stack natural gas convection oven was priced more than $7,400 each, or about 58 percent more than a non-energy efficient natural gas convection oven of similar specs, which cost $4,699.  

But according to The California Energy Wise energy savings calculator, created in part by scientific testing facility Food Service Technology Center, that more costly oven would save a restaurateur $4,373 over the course of the equipment’s lifetime and would pay for itself in 1.9 years.

Incentives like state- and federal-level rebates can help offset the higher initial costs as well.

Here’s a look at the potential savings on select energy-efficient kitchen equipment, based on data from the California Energy Wise calculator.

Projected savings on select models of energy-efficient equipment:

  • Vulcan VC55GD gas convection oven: $364 in annual savings ($4,373 in lifetime savings)

  • Nieco JF143 gas conveyor broiler: $1,152 in annual savings ($18,143 in lifetime savings)

  • Henny Penny EEG-241 gas fryer: $615 in annual savings ($7,377 in lifetime savings)

  • Vulcan VCCG48 gas griddle: $310 in annual savings ($3,719 in lifetime savings)

  • Encore KLP50 pre-rinse spray valve: $229 in annual savings ($1,147 in lifetime savings)

  • Arctic Air F22CW energy-savings refrigerator: $144 in annual savings ($1,726 in lifetime savings)

  • Electrolux EHT8 Dishwasher: $1,146 and 29,3356 gallons of water saved annually ($17,184 in lifetime savings)

Related:Making green technology worth it

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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