Serving excellent food while still maintaining costs is always a concern of foodservice operations. How can high-quality ingredients be purchased while still maintaining margins to help bring in profits? How can labor challenges become operational efficiencies? How can operations consume less energy?
One simple way to help control costs is by using equipment that is ENERGY STAR® rated. Combined with the expertise from RATIONAL ovens, it's a recipe for success in the commercial kitchen.
What is an ENERGY STAR Certification?
A business owner searching for energy-efficient commercial foodservice equipment should be familiar with the ENERGY STAR certificate. This is a government-backed certification administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advising purchasers that the product meets certain energy-use standards.
The ENERGY STAR label means foodservice equipment must use less energy to provide the same results when compared to other products in the same class. Units must also have a reasonable lifespan when compared to other products in the same class. Finally, ENERGY STAR products must also have features such as power management tools that allow users to adjust settings as needed. Commercial kitchen operators can find the ENERGY STAR certificate in a variety of equipment categories.
Energy Savings Mean Cost Savings
Since 1992, the ENERGY STAR program has saved more than $500 billion dollars. For restaurants and foodservice operators, one of the first steps to realizing some of these savings is to consider ENERGY STAR-rated equipment. By using the EPA's ENERGY STAR CFS Savings Calculator, foodserivce buisnesses can input their electric, gas, and/or water usage rates, along with the type of equipment being used, to receive an estimate of how much in savings they experience over time. Some municipalities also offer tax savings when purchasing ENERGY STAR equipment.
Environmental Benefits of ENERGY STAR
Another reason foodservice businesses may want to use ENERGY STAR equipment is its impact on the environment, or rather, reduced impact. ENERGY STAR appliances release less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional commercial kitchen equipment. By using less energy to complete a task in the same amount of time, less fossil fuels get burned at power plants. This directly impacts the environment and the climate to help impact clean energy. And for operators interested in attracting new customers, one of the driving factors for today's foodservice consumer is the notion of sustainability.
RATIONAL and ENERGY STAR
RATIONAL is a leader in producing commercial foodservice equipment that not only performs but creates its own category. As the inventors of combi oven technology, their commitment to innovation has led them to a similar commitment to sustainability.
Now, all 13 of RATIONAL iCombi Pro models are ENERGY STAR certified. By increasing productivity while reducing cooking time and energy and water usage, iCombi Pro helps restaurants, schools, hotels, and other venues cook and clean up quicker and with less labor.
Ready to see how RATIONAL and ENERGY STAR can help your foodservice business? Click below to start your personalized foodservice assessment.
