With commercial energy prices rising, it’s more important than ever for businesses to find ways to cut costs.

Commercial kitchens can save a considerable amount of money on their energy bills by making simple changes to procedures and investing in energy efficient appliances.

Here are five ways to make a difference to your bottom line.

Control the temperature

To help reduce energy, switching off or turning appliances and equipment down should be your motto. If staff aren’t using equipment during service, turn it off. If equipment isn’t being used imminently but will be later, turn it down to a lower setting until it’s needed.

Efficient kitchen layouts

One way to save energy is by grouping together all of your heat-generating appliances. Place the oven, grill, fryer and other HOT appliances in one place and make sure they’re well ventilated.

It might seem obvious to most professional caterers, but separate refrigeration and cooking areas. By keeping these opposite-end appliances apart, you can stop them from competing for energy and help each one run to more efficiently.

Buy energy-efficient equipment

The higher the rating spec, the more energy-efficient the appliance will likely be. Pay attention to energy efficient features such as induction or infra red heating, commercial fryers that use less oil or warewashers with double insulation to help retain heat.

Maintenance is key 

Regular maintenance is key to keeping commercial kitchens running smoothly and efficiently on a day-to-day basis. Keeping on top of maintenance is vital as it can help prolong the life of your appliances.

Train staff to promote efficient practices

As well as having energy-efficient commercial kitchen appliances and following good maintenance routines, it’s crucial to have a team of staff trained in efficient working practices.

Encourage your team to turn off appliances when they’re not in use, to use the correct settings on ovens and cookers, and only to run the dishwasher when it’s full. Never leave a fridge or freezer door open, obvious we know, but we see this happening all the time. When not in use, turn off the lights, and spend money on energy-efficient light fixtures and bulbs.

As you can see, there are many ways to make your commercial kitchen more energy efficient.