Energy management is important to help you optimize the way you consume your energy resources. However, you're here to find out if energy management is something YOUR business needs.
Keep reading if you've wondered how energy management could transform your business. Uncover the practical benefits of investing in energy management for your business operations.
Is energy management worth the upfront costs?
While the upfront costs may vary among service providers, the long-term cost-saving benefits make energy management a valuable investment. Also, with rising energy costs, it's now seen as a necessary investment for your business's longevity. Aside from increasing your overall energy savings, energy management can save your business from equipment breakdown and replacement costs in the long term.
Phantom loads, energy costs accrued even when equipment and appliances are turned off, and time-of-use (TOU), knowing when to maximize or minimize your energy use based on peak hour time frames, are just some of the aspects energy management systems can help you optimize—ultimately to improve your business's bottom line.
5 main reasons why your business needs energy management
1. It contributes to your energy savings
The keywords here are measurable cost savings. Energy management systems provide real-time data on energy consumption across various aspects of your restaurant, like refrigeration, lighting, and HVAC. This granular data pinpoints areas for improvement and allows you to track the impact of implemented changes.
This makes it easier to identify areas of high energy use, which then helps you prioritize necessary actions for optimization.
For example:
Optimizing cooling cycles for refrigerators or adjusting lighting schedules based on occupancy can lead to significant cost savings.
2. It extends the equipment lifespan
Energy management offers a win-win situation for your business, extending equipment lifespan and, in turn, reducing equipment-related operation costs. It does this in two key ways:
- Optimized equipment usage
Energy management systems give you more precise control over your business's equipment settings, such as temperature and pressure. With measurable data from monitoring tools, staff can practice preventive measures to reduce unnecessary wear and tear on equipment—minimizing the risk of breakdowns and extending its functional life. - Early detection of issues
If your monitoring tools start detecting potential problems, proactive maintenance is your next layer of defense against costly breakdowns. This data-driven approach to equipment maintenance can mean the difference between a simple fix or costly equipment failure.
For example:
Your energy management system can detect slight temperature fluctuations in a refrigerator or abnormal variations in power consumption, indicating potential issues. This gives your business ample time to call for necessary equipment maintenance—reducing overall repair costs.
3. It reduces food waste
Less wasted food means less money spent on purchasing ingredients that end up in the trash, which translates directly to increased profit margins. Additionally, by understanding your business's energy consumption patterns, you can optimize inventory levels and purchasing decisions, further minimizing waste.
For example:
Let's take your walk-in cooler example and add energy management into the mix. Imagine your current cooler runs at a constant temperature, regardless of how full it is. During a slow week, the cooler might only be half full, but it's still working as hard to maintain a certain temperature for all that empty space. This wastes energy.
With an energy management system, you can implement features like:
- Smart temperature control: The system monitors the cooler's fullness and adjusts the target temperature accordingly. A less full cooler doesn't need to work as hard to stay cool. This reduces energy consumption without compromising food safety.
- Alerts and monitoring: The system sends alerts if the door is open or the temperature fluctuates beyond a safe range. This allows staff to react quickly and prevent spoilage due to human error or equipment malfunction.
4. It helps with regulatory compliance
Energy regulations are becoming increasingly strict. Implementing energy-efficient practices now helps you stay ahead of the curve and avoid potential non-compliance penalties in the future.
Additionally, your business can be better prepared for potential regulation changes by actively managing energy consumption. In turn, your business can avoid the financial burden of retrofitting your operations later to comply with stricter standards. Here's how:
- Reduced risk of fines: Many regions have regulations on energy efficiency for commercial buildings. Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines and penalties, impacting your bottom line. Energy management practices that demonstrably reduce energy consumption can help you avoid these financial burdens.
- Meeting building codes: Building codes often have minimum energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment. By implementing energy-efficient models and maintaining them properly, you can ensure your restaurant meets these requirements and avoid potential citations or construction projects to retrofit non-compliant equipment.
- Fulfilling reporting requirements: Some areas mandate reporting energy usage data for commercial establishments. A robust energy management system can streamline data collection and reporting, saving time and resources compared to manual processes. Accurate and timely reporting demonstrates your commitment to compliance and avoids potential penalties for non-reporting.
5. It future-proofs your business
To summarize the points and benefits above, investing in energy management can help future-proof your business by securing net positive ROI, optimizing your energy consumption, and reducing overall energy costs.
Here's a quick breakdown of how energy management systems can help your business achieve this:
- Cost savings and financial stability through reduced energy expenses
Businesses enjoy lower operating costs by consuming less energy, providing a financial buffer against potential economic fluctuations or market disruptions. This improved financial stability allows for greater flexibility in navigating unforeseen challenges.
- Enhanced brand reputation with a focus on sustainability
Consumers are increasingly environmentally conscious. Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability through effective energy management attracts environmentally conscious customers and strengthens your brand reputation. This can lead to a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining customers who value environmentally responsible businesses. - Long-term investment for growth through improved operational efficiency
Streamlined energy use often leads to improved overall operational efficiency. This can translate to increased productivity, reduced waste, and a more robust bottom line, preparing your business for future growth and success.
How's the ROI?
Our solutions guarantee a 10%- 20% reduction in energy bills through user-friendly energy monitoring tools and smart energy optimisation.
To illustrate the valuable impact of energy management, feel free to check out our GlacierGrid customer case studies. These should provide you with real-world insights on how big a difference simply adding reliable temperature monitoring can make on a business's financial stability:
- How GlacierGrid helped McDonald's save thousands per year
- How GlacierGrid brought savings to Domino's Colorado franchise
- How GlacierGrid saved Eggs Up Grill $1,000 in one month
- How GlacierGrid shines a light for Moonstruck Chocolate
With energy management, you can cut costs without cutting corners
Energy management leads to cost savings, financial stability, and business longevity. Once your budgets are finally freed from the bondage of runaway energy costs, your business will finally have more breathing room to grow.
At GlacierGrid, we're committed to helping your business harness the power of energy management. The benefits it can bring to your bottom line make it a valuable must-have for any foodservice business.
Additional Resources:
For more information on energy management's critical role in improving your business’s savings and overall profits, feel free to explore the following resources:
- What are the Benefits of Energy Management Systems? - EnergySage: A more detailed look into the various benefits energy management systems can give businesses.
- What is Energy Management? - GlacierGrid: An overview of what’s involved in energy management for foodservice businesses.
- Restaurant Energy Management System: What is It and Should I Need One? - GlacierGrid: Additional details, examples, and actionables for businesses looking to implement an energy management system.
- U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Management: The U.S. DOE offers comprehensive guidance and resources for energy management practices tailored to businesses.
- Energy Star for Businesses: Energy Star provides tools and resources to help businesses improve energy efficiency, including the Portfolio Manager tool for benchmarking and tracking energy usage.
