Behind the scenes of restaurant energy consumption can vary significantly based on their size and type. Gas and power use are often lower at smaller cafés than at larger eateries. On average, catering businesses allocate around four to six percent of their operating costs to energy consumption, as reported by the Carbon Trust. The trust estimates that the catering industry in the UK uses close to 20 million kWh of energy annually. There is a lot of wasted energy in commercial kitchens, according to the Carbon Trust. Just about 40% of the energy used in food storage and preparation ends up as usable heat for the kitchen. It’s interesting to note that different types of catering companies have widely varying average energy consumption per meal. The average cost of cooking a meal in a snack bar is about 5 pence, but in a steakhouse, it’s 22 pence, and in a hotel restaurant it’s about 45 pence. This article focuses on what goes on behind the scenes of restaurant energy. The article begins by discussing how restaurant size impacts energy consumption, followed by an exploration of the role of gas in energy usage. The next section guides estimating restaurant utility costs. Finally, the article offers tips for saving money in restaurants.

Restaurant Size

The amount of electricity a restaurant uses is determined by various factors, including its size. The average electricity consumption for a small restaurant is between 15,000 to 25,000 kWh per year, whereas a medium-sized establishment consumes around 30,000 to 50,000 kWh per year. It must be noted that these figures are general estimates for different types of businesses, and individual restaurants may consume significantly more or less electricity depending on their specific circumstances.

Utilizing Gas

Restaurants incur an additional cost of using gas for cooking. The majority of eateries use gas primarily for cooking. Typically, small businesses across different industries use between up to 30,000 kWh of gas annually, while medium-sized businesses consume an average of around 65,000 kWh per annum. However, due to the extensive use of gas for cooking, gas consumption is likely to exceed these averages.

Estimating Restaurant Utility Cost

Accurately estimating your restaurants’ utility costs is an absolutely necessary part of financial planning. Based on the figures discussed earlier, small businesses usually spend close to £3,660 per year on electricity, while their larger counterparts spend up to £7,234. In terms of business gas, small businesses pay around £820 to £1,458 annually, while medium-sized businesses typically have bills ranging from £1,458 to £2,239. To calculate your restaurant’s utility costs, you need to give consideration to two primary factors on your energy bills: namely, the standing charge and the unit cost charged by an energy provider. For more information, see energy deals for restaurants) You must know these charges and roughly estimate your restaurant’s energy usage to determine your utility costs. Often, businesses only realize their energy consumption and expected costs after receiving their first utility bill.

Saving Money in Your Restaurant

According to the Carbon Trust, even small efficiency gains in restaurants can provide a 20% reduction in energy consumption. Here are some ways to reduce your restaurant’s electricity consumption:

• Use appropriately sized equipment for each task and employ covers and lids to retain heat and steam.
• Turn equipment on only when necessary, and switch off grills,fryers, and hobbs immediately after use.
• Reduce hot food storage.
• Keep your appliances in tip-top shape to get the most out of them in the kitchen..
• Make use of advanced gadgets like smart thermostats and pan sensors to save energy and prevent fires..
• Induction cooktops are a great alternative to traditional electric or gas stoves since they are so effective at transferring heat to the food.
• Keep your fridge in the kitchen’s coolest spot..
• Minimise the frequency of opening the chiller and freezer doors.
• Switch to LEDs and fluorescent tubes.

If you want to save money, cut down on your carbon footprint, and make your restaurant more functional, you should look into ways to increase its energy efficiency.

Final Thoughts

The energy consumption of restaurants varies significantly based on their size and type, with catering businesses allocating around four to six percent of their operating costs to energy consumption.

The Carbon Trust has identified significant energy wastage in restaurant kitchens, with only 40 percent of the energy consumed being utilized to store and prepare food. Additionally, the average energy usage per meal varies depending on the type of catering business.

Accurately estimating utility costs is essential for financial planning, and small businesses typically spend between £2,367 to £3,660 per year on electricity, while medium-sized businesses spend an average of £3,774 to £7,234.

Restaurants can save money by using appropriately sized equipment, turning off equipment when not in use, reducing hot food storage, maintaining cooking equipment in good condition, employing smart technology, switching to energy-efficient lighting, and making other energy-efficient choices.

By making these changes, restaurants can reduce their bills and carbon footprint while also creating a more comfortable work environment for employees.