August 20, 2007—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced specifications for two new commercial food service products—dishwashers and ice machines—that will earn the Energy Star label. More efficient commercial kitchen equipment can save restaurants and food service facilities from 10 to 30 percent on commercial kitchen energy consumption, notes EPA.
The specifications cover several types of machines in both categories, requiring them to meet maximum energy and water efficiency savings. Other Energy Star commercial food service products include fryers, steam cookers, hot food holding cabinets, and solid door reach-in refrigerators and freezers.
Restaurant and commercial kitchen owners and operators will be able to purchase Energy Star qualified commercial dishwashers starting October 11, 2007, and ice makers starting January 1, 2008.
Over the next five years, these new Energy Star products are expected to save restaurants $100 million in reduced energy and water costs. EPA says these products will help improve the energy intensity of food service buildings, which consume roughly 2.5 times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings.
