The GWT2Energy Blog

Practical tips, case studies, and strategies to cut costs, reduce waste, and run more efficient multi-site operations.

Exterior of a brick restaurant with black-framed windows, outdoor seating with green umbrellas, and a sign reading "The Urban Grille" with a subtitle "Fresh, Local, Sustainable"; people dining outside on a sunny day.

Just How Much Energy Does a Restaurant Need? The Answer: a Lot!

Restaurants are places full of people, life, and business. All of those things require significant energy, but with an energy-saving strategy and an understanding of just how much energy a restaurant needs, that much energy doesn’t have to break the bank.In fact, ENERGY STAR reports restaurants typically use about 2.5 times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings.Energy is a huge influence on running up restaurant costs, and something every restaurant owner must address. With

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

What is the Average Electric Bill for a Restaurant?

While most people think of food costs when they are thinking of opening a restaurant, many people find it hard to calculate what their overhead expenditures for things like utilities will be.Essentially everything in your restaurant will use power in one way or another, even when you are not open for business.Utility Costs Are More Than You ThinkThe reality is that utilities can often be one of the worst expenses for owners. In fact, restaurants often spend 3 to 5{32e2fa51a86e2454fbeaa484d0e2e0f12bd13971aa921e67de52afd8b52ff024} of their total operating costs

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

4 Big Mistakes Restaurants Make That Waste Energy

Trying to lower high energy consumption in commercial restaurants is a never-ending quest for owners. In a long list of expenditures, energy costs rank top as the most expensive. With each restaurant aiming to keep costs at a minimum and the profits high, cutting down on energy usage is where the key lies. But, instead of looking at limiting energy usage, why not focus on what you may be doing wrong?Here’s a list of four major energy wasting mistakes you could be making. Leaving AC on 24/7During

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

How Do Restaurants Save Energy During the Winter?

With winter fast approaching, many restaurants are looking for new, creative ways to save money on energy expenses.Fortunately, even as your heating bills go up with cold weather sweeping through your area, you can still cut your costs this season. 1. Conduct an energy audit At any time of year, an energy audit can help you identify places where you might be using too much energy, allowing you to cut back on your expenses. An effective energy audit will take a look at all the details of your

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

Why Tracking Restaurant Utility Bills Reduces Costs

Tracking Restaurant Utility Bills Utility bill reduction is important for any restaurant. Tracking your restaurant’s utility costs and usage is the first step to understanding where you can reduce costs.In fact, monitoring is the starting point for the type of big savings we can help you achieve.Benefits of Tracking Restaurant Utility BillsTracking utility costs are necessary to establish a baseline that assists in forecasting and determining where you can make cost-cutting changes. Utility use

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

Top 3 Trends Restaurants Are Using to Cut Back on their Energy Bill

Irrespective of how big or small your restaurant is, it needs a lot of energy for daily operations. Air ventilation, gas, large-scale appliances, and temperature control are just a couple of the many contributors to the high energy bills you may be experiencing monthly. In fact, many restaurants spend about three to five percent of their operational costs on energy. With more than twenty years’ experience in the restaurant world, we have assisted many brands in saving costs on their utility

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

Restaurant Humidity Control: How to Reach Appropriate Levels

Restaurant Humidity Control Ideal restaurant humidity levels vary depending on the room and even depending on the type of food your establishment serves. Humidity level considerations include customer and employee comfort, equipment performance, and the most efficient ways to reach appropriate humidity levels. Dining Room Humidity Levels Dining room humidity levels should be high enough to inhibit the transfer of airborne illnesses and low enough to facilitate customer comfort. Water vapor

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

Energy Efficiency in Restaurants: Managing Equipment Startup and Shutdown Procedures

Since you’re reading this, you likely understand the importance of managing a restaurant’s energy use.With this in mind, have you considered how vital your startup and shutdown procedures are for saving on energy costs?GWT2Energy is here to help with these procedures. After all, energy efficiency in restaurants is our business.Idle Time is the EnemyMaintaining a startup and shutdown schedule will decrease your restaurant technologies’ idle time.As this Energy Star guide emphasizes, maximizing

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

Proper Restaurant Equipment Maintenance Helps Profit Margins

All-too-often, thin net profit margins are a problem for restaurants. This is where the “small” things make all the difference.You see, most restaurateurs have some understanding of cost control measures. Yet, mastering these measures and rolling them into a comprehensive plan is a difficult task.With this in mind, it’s best to look at each measure separately before implementing that optimal holistic strategy. Proper equipment maintenance is a vital measure. It attacks thin profit margins by

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

Energy Efficiency and Common Sense Combine to Lower a Restaurant's Costs

The value of training staff in habits that conserve power is often overlooked when organizing an energy management plan in restaurants. Lighting and equipment that’s energy efficient is a must, but something as simple as turning off faucets rather than letting them run can offer big savings in the long run.In fact, the prevalence of high energy costs make addressing all types of waste essential in order for a restaurant to remain profitable.Installing Equipment that’s Proven Energy

Read More

Saving During the Summer Months: Restaurant Energy Consumption 101

As a restaurant owner, you are all too aware that patrons want to feel comfortable when dining at your establishment.Think of yourself for a minute: going to a restaurant in the middle of the summer, where it’s 100 degrees outside, and 90 degrees inside. It’s likely you wouldn’t feel too comfortable in the establishment and would want to leave.The same goes for your patrons. Understanding a few simple tips will allow you to create a comfortable, cool environment for patrons, without killing your

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

10 Tricks to Lower your Restaurant's Hot Water Bill

Unnecessary hot water usage is akin to watching cash go down the drain. Just thinking of wasted water is brutal to us as restaurants already use a lot of H₂O.In fact, the EPA states that US restaurants use over 50 billion gallons of water annually. While using a good deal of hot water is inherent to the restaurant business, you can minimize the impact.Here are 10 tricks to lower your restaurant’s hot water bill:#1 Routine water heater thermostat checkups Check-ups help ensure maximum efficiency.

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

Quick Fixes and Energy Management: You Can't Ignore Either One

Energy Management in Restaurants We know you have thoughts about how to reduce your restaurant’s or franchise’s energy costs…and that you keep making efforts to do it. We also know you have multiple other demands on your time, including your primary mission of providing customers with the best food, the best service, and the best price.But sooner or later, most owner-operators or managers start to consider a serious, concerted campaign to reduce energy costs. Probably because they know, from

Read More

The Pros and Cons of Restaurants Using an Energy Management System

Restaurants Using An Energy Management System Being a restaurant owner or manager comes with a lot of responsibility. Some common ones include ensuring the kitchen is clean and up to code, that the menu items are exceptional, and everyone’s performing well in their job roles.Also, ensuring the restaurant is profitable is incredibly important. So making sure all costs are within reason is vital. Yet, one area many restaurants often overlook is energy consumption.The Good: Controlling Costs with

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

Just How Much Energy Does a Restaurant Need? The Answer: a Lot!

Restaurants are places full of people, life, and business. All of those things require significant energy, but with an energy-saving strategy and an understanding of just how much energy a restaurant needs, that much energy doesn’t have to break the bank.In fact, ENERGY STAR reports restaurants typically use about 2.5 times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings.Energy is a huge influence on running up restaurant costs, and something every restaurant owner must address. With

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

4 Highly-Effective Energy Conservation Tips for Restaurant Owners

Energy Conservation Tips for Restaurant Owners The cost of energy is rising every other day! Thus, emphasis on embracing conservation measures that will preserve natural resources and save cost is increasing as well. As a restaurant operator, energy conservation is likely on your list of priorities. Failure to control the use of power within your restaurant can have far-reaching effects on your daily operations, and that can result in severe losses. So gaining an understanding of your obligations

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

How to Reduce Energy Consumption in a Restaurant

Reduce Energy Consumption The cost of energy is rising, and we are continually facing dwindling natural resources and the ill effects of harmful environmental practices. Saving energy isn’t as difficult as you think – simple alterations in your restaurant can save significant energy, and you’ll reap these savings in your profit margins.Below, we highlight simple steps you can take to improve energy consumption. This will also attract energy-conscious patrons to your establishment.Read on for

Read More