Every piece of equipment you purchase comes with two costs to consider: the cost of unit, and cost to operate. Energy Star qualifications are applicable to nearly every equipment product line, from refrigeration, to ovens, from commercial use, to residential. The Energy Star label means that item incorporates advanced technology that utilizes less energy – sometimes up to 50% less than the standard appliance. This greatly reduces the operational cost throughout the life of your product.
Energy Star products save energy, money, and more environmentally friendly than conventional models, reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses and air pollutants. The main benefits include:
Lower utility bills
Improved quality and durability
Enhanced performance
Central Products is proud to offer a wide selection of such Energy Star certified products. Learn more here.
You work hard to build a successful restaurant, run a school cafeteria, or serve residents at the local nursing home. But the electricity and gas bills are making are making it hard to stay on budget. Energy Star products are engineered to use less energy and to have a smaller footprint on our environment. These products have the same functions as standard products, but do with using less energy. Plus, many Energy Star products qualify for large rebates!
Energy Star has a plethora of information available on their website for helping you know how these products can benefit your operation. Information includes a guide for cafes, restaurants, and institutional kitchens as well as an Equipment Savings Fact Sheet. But how large of a rebate can you receive? Take these few products as an example:
Benefits: Improved fan blade design and uniform
cabinet temperatures
Rebates: $25-$1,000
In California, the TurboAir TGF-72SD (pictured above), receives a rebate of $1,000.
Energy Star products range in their lifetime savings and their rebates. Rebates will also vary greatly by state. Be sure to check the rebates available from your state’s energy website. Have further questions? Speak with one of our helpful product consultants at 800.215.9293 and browse our website to see all of the great Energy Star qualified products we have available!
Did you know that restaurants that invest strategically can cut utility costs 10 to 30 percent without sacrificing service, quality, style or comfort? ENERGY STAR® products are those that are run by emitting fewer greenhouse gases. No matter which type of commercial kitchen you operate, there are many ways you can cut energy usage and lower your utility bills, all while making significant contributions to a cleaner environment! Many Energy Star items also qualify for additional rebates, varying by amount depending where you are located. View the more than 600 products that meet ENERGY STAR® guidelines offered by Central Restaurant Products here and then check how large of a rebate you can receive here!
At the beginning of the year, Central was excited to announce that we’ve teamed up with one of the world’s largest commercial cooking equipment manufacturers, Vulcan, for an exclusive deal.
Through March 31, 2012, customers can take advantage of the lowest price and free shipping on all Vulcan cooking equipment at Central.
Additional to this promotion, there are other ways to save money and be environmentally friendly at the same time.
By outfitting a kitchen with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment, it could save your business 285 MBTU per year. This is the equivalent of around $2500. (MBTU stands for one million BTUs).
Several U.S. utility companies provide rebates for those who purchase energy efficient equipment too.
In ENERGY STAR’s September 2011 publication for restaurants, Putting Energy into Profit, their very first cost saving tip is to buy ENERGY STAR qualified equipment.
So as opposed to just looking at short term costs, ENERGY STAR recommends to think in terms of life-cycle costs. These life-cycle costs include the purchase price, annual energy costs and other long term costs associated with the equipment.
“High-efficiency appliances could cost more upfront, but significantly lower utility bills can make up for the price difference,” they explain.
Vulcan is a part of the ITW Food Equipment Group, who has many recognitions for their innovative products.
The Best in Class awards are given to foodservice equipment and supply manufacturers who go above and beyond. FE&S describes them as “the best of the best among foodservice equipment supplies and manufacturers.”
When reviewing potential candidates for Best in Class, FE&S looks at the following seven factors: Product quality, product value, product design and aesthetics, service and support, sales representation, product inventory and availability and product information and availability.
To add to Vulcan and the ITW Food Equipment Group’s resume, in early 2011, they were awarded ENERGY STAR’s highest honor, the Sustained Excellence award. In a March 2011 press release, it’s explained this award “is given to a select group of organizations that have consistently exhibited leadership across the ENERGY STAR program.”
This was their second consecutive year winning the Sustained Excellence award and previously earned ENERGY STAR’s Partner of the Year award in 2008 and 2009.
Central has ENERGY STAR qualified Vulcan convection ovens, holding and transport cabinets, proofing and holding cabinets, griddles, fryers and steamers. By purchasing Vulcan ENERGY STAR qualified equipment, you’re guaranteed durability, reliability and savings—all while helping the environment at the same time.
Need help making a purchase? Central has you covered with a library full of buying guides you can conveniently find on our website.
Today’s buying guide covers reach-in refrigeration. Find this and all buying guides here, and check back after the release of our January master catalog (later on this month) for more. ___________________________________________________________________________
What to Consider When Selecting a Commercial Reach-In Refrigerator or Freezer:
Reach-in refrigeration is most commonly used for short term food and ingredient storage. Regardless of brand, commercial reach-ins are constructed to withstand the daily usage of busy kitchens.
Let your Central Product Consultant help you find the right refrigeration to meet your requirements but not overspend on features you don’t need.
One, two and three door models are available in a variety of widths and door configurations. Half door models are also available for more compartmentalized storage.
How much storage space do you need? Larger units provide more storage space but also consume more energy and take up more floor space, so don’t overbuy.
CAUTION: Before purchasing any reach-in, measure your space—including door frames and corners. Don’t buy a unit that won’t fit through your door!
One door (more photos on buying guide page, link provided below)
Full height door units offer more storage space than half height models
Half height door units are more energy efficient than full height models because less refrigerated space has to be exposed to the hot kitchen at a time
Solid metal doors are easier to keep clean than glass and hide a messy interior from view
Glass doors are great for merchandising in front-of-house applications. Allows you to see what’s inside without opening the doors and letting cold air escape.
Swing doors: Easier loading and unloading, but open doors can block kitchen traffic
Sliding doors: Good for use in areas with limited space, but not as easy to load/unload and only one door can be opened at a time
ENERGY STAR qualified reach-ins offer energy savings up to 30 percent compared to standard models.
Various ENERGY STAR partners offer rebates on qualified equipment purchases. Ask your Product Consultant for more details and to see if your purchase qualifies.
For more information, view this Reach-In Refrigeration Buying Guide in full on our website, which also provides the list of our refrigerators and freezers by manufacturer, type and other factors to help you make a purchase.
Need help making a purchase? Central has you covered with a library full of buying guides you can conveniently find on our website.
Today’s buying guide covers dishwashers. Find this and all buying guides here, and check back after the release of our January master catalog for more.
What Size and Style Will Fit the Needs of Your Facility?
When selecting a dishwasher, first determine what type and capacity your facility requires. Dishwashers are rated by the number of dishes or racks (approximately 20 dishes) they can effectively wash in an hour.
Properly sizing a dishwasher depends on several factors:
Operators should be aware of energy efficiency when selecting a dishwasher. With energy and water costs rising, choosing the most energy efficient unit can have a big impact on overall energy use.
Dishwashers can consume up to one-third the energy used in an operations, mostly due to the cost to raise water temperature.
Dishwashers are rated on water efficiency by gallons of water used per rack washed. Choosing a machine with lower water usage will help the operator increase efficiency.
Energy Star rates commercial dishwashers based on energy efficiency and water usage. Commercial Dishwashers that have earned the Energy Star rating are on average 25% more energy and water efficient than standard units.
For more information, view this Dishwasher Buying Guide in full on our website, which also provides the list of our dishwashers along with the manufacturer, type, sanitizing method, racks per hour, gallons per rack, standard booster, energy star rated and door clearance.
Ready to order? Click here to view our dishwashers. And don’t forget to check out all of Central’s buying guides.
From schools to restaurants, it’s always great to have some resources to find the latest foodservice industry information. Here are a few resources, along with their Facebook or Twitter accounts.
While shopping for restaurant equipment (and many other products), you will find NSF listed, UL certified and Energy Star rated items. In many cases, people do not always know what these mean. We’ve compiled this list based from the CFSP (Certified Foodservice Professional) guide and each of their websites to explain everything.
Who they are: A non-profit, non-governmental organization, also known as the Public Health and Safety Company™, who describe themselves as the “world leader in standards development, product certification and risk-management for public health and safety.”
Why they are important: The CFSP guide says NSF has the following three purposes for equipment in the foodservice industry:
Assure all equipment meets health standards and passes critical inspection at the facility
Allows manufacturers to apply uniform construction methods to all NSF listed equipment
Provide health authorities throughout the country a “united front or voice” to require basic elements of equipment sanitation
What NSF listed means: In order to obtain the NSF listing, the equipment is reviewed and tested before approval. As there several types of equipment, NSF says on their website they have developed “over 50 voluntary American National Standards under the scope of health and safety” for foodservice equipment. They look closely at these standards before granting the NSF listing.
Below is a very brief and general overview from the CFSP guide of some of the things NSF looks into (keep in mind there are different standards more specific to different kinds of equipment):
Physical design and construction evaluation for ease of cleaning
Materials (look for corrosion or heat resistance, durability, nontoxic)
Who they are: UL is an independent, non-for-profit and non-governmental organization who describes themselves as “a global independent safety science company offering expertise across five key strategic businesses: Product Safety, Environment, Life and Health, University and Verification Services.”
Why they are important: With over 75 years of experience, the CFSP guide says the UL listing evaluates gas, electrical and sanitation safety on cooking, refrigeration, food processing and food prep equipment. They look at the most current standards and follow up after approval to ensure standards are maintained. A very brief overview of their mission on their website is below, view their full list here. They:
Promote safe working environments
Support the production and use of physically and environmentally safe products to prevent or reduce loss of life and property
Advance safety science
What UL listed means: To receive the UL listing, companies will have received the proper testing for a specific product based on their over 20 safety standards. UL has worked with many organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), National Electrical Code (NEC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to determine and maintain current standards. The CFSP guide also adds the UL listing can also be reviewed for custom built equipment as well. To read how the entire process to make a product UL listed works, click here.
Are products with the UL Sanitation mark also NSF listed? According to the Underwriters Laboratories, they are accredited by the American National Standards Institute to certify products to NSF standards. This applies to food equipment, drinking water chemicals and products, and swimming pool equipment. For more information on UL products being NSF listed, check out this Code Authorities — EPH FAQs article. You can also review the “UL Food Program: Acceptance of the UL Mark” which includes information about the UL sanitation classification mark.
Energy Star®
Who they are: Energy Star® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. They have created a partnership with the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and the U.S. Department of Energy that uses methods to protect the environment with energy efficient products and practices.
Why they are important: Energy Star® rated products are able to give a solution to some of the high energy costs and environmental issues. “Energy Star® provides a trustworthy label on over 60 product categories (and thousands of models) for home and office,” their website says. They also deliver technical information and tools to help make decisions for energy efficiency and play a key role in the latest technological advances. They have also put together a guide titled “Putting Energy into Profit” specifically for restaurants.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy
Make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features and comfort
What Energy Star means: Energy Star® says “products can earn the Energy Star® label by meeting the energy efficiency requirements set forth in Energy Star® product specifications.” These specifications have been/are established by the EPA, based on key guiding principles on this website. According to the CSFP guide, if a product is Energy Star® rated, a manufacturer must be able to show they meet the minimum energy efficiency criteria for that particular product category.
**Note: Certain Energy Star® products qualify for Federal tax credits, for more information click here.
We hope you have found these helpful. While browsing through Central’s catalog and online store, you will find the NSF and UL listing in our copy or the Energy Star® logo if it applies.
At the beginning of the year, Central was excited to announce that we’ve teamed up with one of the world’s largest commercial cooking equipment manufacturers, Vulcan, for an exclusive deal.
Several U.S. utility companies provide rebates for those who purchase energy efficient equipment too.
manufacturers who go above and beyond. FE&S describes them as “the best of the best among foodservice equipment supplies and manufacturers.”
This was their second consecutive year winning the Sustained Excellence award and previously earned ENERGY STAR’s Partner of the Year award in 2008 and 2009.
