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Keeping your kitchen green
No matter where you land on environmental issues, the fact is that a green commercial kitchen can save you some green. Whether you invest in green technology or apply green practices to your operation, being eco-friendly can improve your bottom line. Here are some tips to get started or improve what you’re already doing.
Quick change
Replacing existing equipment with Energy Star equipment is an easy win when it comes to going green. To earn an Energy Star certification, products must “contribute significant energy savings…measured and verified with testing,” according to Energy Star’s website. If you experience sticker shock when shopping for Energy Star equipment, know that in order to achieve the Energy Star rating, “purchasers will recover their investment…through utility bill savings within a reasonable period of time.” Yes, that’s what the salesperson means when she says that the item will pay for itself.
And rest assured that Malachy Parts & Service techs can, of course, service and repair Energy Star equipment.
Drop by drop
Water is a major resource for commercial kitchens. It’s used to steam food, keep it heated on buffets, make ice and sanitize. Besides being a limited resource, municipal costs associated with delivering, disposing and treating water are one of the most quickly escalating expenses in the United States. In most cases, the less you use, the more you’ll save. Start sleuthing leaks in your kitchen that you’ve overlooked. Is that Hello Kitty Duck Tape on the pre-rinse sprayer? Is the area around the base of a faucet wet? Is there pooled water under the ice machine? It’s definitely time to call Malachy Parts & Service to replace some parts. While they’re at it, ask them about low-flow aerators and aired cooled ice machines.
Shining bright
Depending on the age of your building, your kitchen may still have incandescent lights (you know, the kind Thomas Edison invented). Whoa! That’s what your bank account said when it realized how much you could save if you switched to halogen, LED (light-emitting diode) or CFL (compact fluorescent lamps). These lighting options have such a long life that it’s possible they’ll outlast dozens of dishwashers and line cooks.
Running hot and cold
Even if your HVAC system is serviced regularly, if it’s 10 to 15 years old, replacing it could save a significant amount of money. Updated technology is vastly more efficient than what was considered efficient 10 years ago. Plus, HVAC upgrades are usually one of the quickest returns on investment when it comes to lowered energy bills.
Cost savings are usually enough to lead restaurateurs down the green path, but the added benefits have perks, too. You’re helping the planet at the same time. A lot of customers like to spend money with businesses that do good, so talk it up. “We use Energy Star equipment in our kitchen,” isn’t bragging, it’s letting your customers know that you’re a community-focused business.
And remember, Malachy Parts & Service is here for you as you become leaner and greener!
Rich Malachy
CCO of Malachy Parts & Service - Chief Care Officer
