Energy-Efficient Kitchen Equipment: Saving Money and the Environment

Introduction

Environmental concerns and sustainability are critical issues today. Modern cities use lots of resources, especially water and energy. Long daily operations cause high commercial kitchen energy consumption. Achieve sustainability in commercial kitchens by adopting energy-efficient practices. 

Energy-efficient appliances are designed to save utility costs and protect the environment. An experienced kitchen equipment supplier like OTN Machinery Sdn Bhd provides safety-approved, energy-efficient kitchen appliances for commercial food businesses. This article explains 3 things you can save by switching to energy-efficient commercial kitchen equipment.

1. Save Money

Have you noticed your electricity bills increasing recently?
Electricity rates are rising across Malaysia. Monthly electricity bills for commercial businesses like hotels and shopping malls have increased in 2023 and will continue to rise. Household consumers’ energy bills will spike by at least RM12 in the first half of 2024.

Electricity prices are increasing globally due to growing international energy demand, supply-chain disruptions caused by geopolitical conflicts, and shortage of natural resources like oil, gas and coal. Malaysia implemented a cost saving initiative for central kitchens and households. It curbs high energy prices by encouraging consumers to purchase and use energy-efficient products.  

The SEDA (Sustainability Energy Development Authority) launched a national programme, SAVE (Sustainability Achieved via Energy Efficiency) 4.0, in December 2023. The programme encourages households and commercial businesses to save money and energy by purchasing and using energy-saving electrical appliances. SAVE 4.0 offers up to RM400 e-rebates for buying energy-efficient electrical appliances. Certified energy-efficient appliances undergo an official performance test by SEDA and receive a 4-star or 5-star energy efficiency certification from the Energy Commission (ST). SAVE 4.0 will run until December 2024. 

Even without rebates, you can save up to RM62 annually per appliance using a 5-star refrigerator that consumes around 43% less energy than a 2-star refrigerator. Buying energy-efficient equipment costs more upfront, but your long-term electricity cost savings are more. Energy-efficient equipment reduces utility bills by using less water and electricity. Your business saves on overhead costs and increases profit margins.

2. Save Water

Water is a precious and limited natural resource. However, water consumption in Malaysia remains high. Rising water treatment and infrastructure maintenance costs cause increasing tariffs.

Private water service providers like Air Selangor imposed a 2022 water tariff for Selangor's non-domestic commercial and industrial users. The tariff rose from RM2.07 to RM2.62 for 35 cubic metres and RM 2.28 to RM 2.86 for over 35 cubic metres. Water tariffs in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan have risen by 22 sen per cubic metre since 1 February 2024. Switching water providers will only save a small amount. Choose water-efficient kitchen equipment and appliances to lower your bills.

Water-efficient kitchen equipment like energy-efficient dishwashers use less water without compromising washing capability. They contain water-saving fixtures like aerator nozzles for taps, recycling water functions, or encourage user behaviour change by monitoring water consumption. 

Malaysia’s National Water Services Commission (Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara or SPAN) created a 2019 law mandating water-efficient device labelling in bathrooms and kitchens. In 2022, SPAN released additional guidelines for voluntary water-efficient labelling to raise public awareness about water conservation and water-efficient products. The WEPLS (Water Efficient Products Labelling Scheme Revision 8) targets water appliances like sink taps. Products that meet water-saving standards can be registered and certified with a water-efficient label by SPAN. Check with your kitchen equipment supplier to choose WEPLS-certified products.

3. Save The Environment

Eco-friendly appliances have a positive impact on the environment. They consume fewer resources and emit less greenhouse gases. 

• Save Natural Resources 

Natural resources like water, coal, gas, oil and metal are essential for life on Earth. Excessive consumption and waste disposal cause over-extraction of raw materials, resource depletion and environmental degradation.

Using energy-efficient equipment or small electric kitchen appliances reduces excessive natural resource consumption. It uses less electricity from coal, gas and oil and shortens cooking times. Kitchen equipment with washable and reusable parts prevents frequent replacement and waste generation.

• Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

More greenhouse gas emissions increase global warming. Energy-efficient equipment helps reduce energy usage and demands less power generation output. Using fossil fuels, coal, and natural gas, power plants reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Reduce Carbon Footprint

Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases generated by your daily activities and consumed products. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, water vapour and methane. Commercial and industrial businesses usually have a high carbon footprint because of transport and production processes. By using energy-efficient kitchen equipment and reducing your carbon footprint, you save the environment.

4 Tips For Buying Energy-Efficient Appliances

Now that you’ve learned about the benefits of energy-efficient appliances, how do you choose them?

1. Safety Requirements

Ensure the kitchen appliance meets safety requirements. According to the Malaysian Energy Commission or Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST), all electrical kitchen appliance categories must have a CoA (Certificate of Approval) and labelling. Approved electrical appliances must have the SIRIM Certification Mark sticker before being sold publicly. 

2. Energy Consumption Labels

The Malaysian Energy Commission issues energy consumption labels indicating the appliance’s energy efficiency on a 1 to 5-star scale. The label also compares the appliance’s energy efficiency with low (2-star rating) products.  

Most authorised kitchen appliances have energy and water-saving features and labels. Ensure the labels are the SIRIM Certification Mark sticker (see above image). It is illegal to sell and use equipment labelled with fake certifications.

3. Replace Old Equipment

Appliances that are old (more than 15 years) do not have new energy-saving technology like LED light indicators and thus use more energy. 

4. Proper Installation

Use this checklist to install and operate your new kitchen equipment safely:

• Plan your installation time to prevent delays.
• Remove old equipment from your business premises to prevent clutter.
• Ensure the voltage and AMP requirements of new equipment match your utility service.
• For new gas equipment, ensure the gas requirements (propane, natural, etc.) match your utility service. 
• Adjust the water pressure and temperature to match your new equipment specifications. 
• Switch off equipment before plugging it in. 
• Inspect and calibrate equipment settings before use.
• Cover wires with insulating material to protect them.
• Check for unusual sounds and request a replacement.

Conclusion

This blog explains 3 benefits of investing in energy-efficient appliances. If you’re a startup venturing into the F&B industry, check out our must-have equipment list for small businesses and the 10 must-have kitchen equipment for restaurant startups.

OTN Machinery Sdn Bhd is Malaysia’s biggest kitchen equipment supplier, with years of experience helping food businesses in Malaysia and overseas. Our equipment is compliant with local safety regulations and energy-efficient standards.