When managing energy costs for a commercial kitchen, the equipment you choose makes a world of difference. Outdated or inefficient natural gas equipment not only drives up energy use, but can also increase maintenance costs and hinder performance.
Of course, foodservice equipment upgrades aren’t cheap. Fiscally responsible business owners and managers need to know how long it takes for the energy savings to deliver a return on investment to the bottom line. For some equipment, the breakeven point comes surprisingly fast. For other appliances, it can take longer, but it still works out over the long haul.
In this article, we’ll explain how upgrading to high-efficiency natural gas appliances is one of the smartest investments you can make in a commercial kitchen. We’ve also included a link to free online calculators where you can figure out exactly when your investment pays off and energy savings translate directly into profit.
Lower Energy Costs Kick in Immediately
Regardless of when total savings surpass the purchase price, commercial kitchens begin experiencing ROI for high-efficiency natural gas appliances as soon as they are installed. Engineered for optimal energy use, new equipment reduces monthly utility bills immediately.
Efficient burners, insulation, and controls minimize wasted heat, while faster start-up and recovery times mean less idle energy use, all with equal or better performance to prevent the need to repeat cooking cycles.
Improved Performance and Productivity
Not all financial savings come in the form of lower energy costs. High-efficiency natural gas appliances are designed for precision, speed, and reliability. Giving your team productivity-boosting equipment can improve output and lower your staffing needs.
- Provides faster heating and recovery for commercial kitchens
- Offers multi-function features that reduce the need for extra equipment
Streamlined workflows are a must for busy commercial kitchens. Upgrading to modern equipment provides an opportunity to rethink how your space is structured and organized and to imagine how new culinary technology can be worked into your systems.
Reduced Maintenance and Longer Lifespan
Older appliances may appear serviceable at first glance, but under the surface, they are often a source of lost time and hidden costs. As equipment ages, service calls become more frequent, and replacement parts can be harder (or more expensive) to source. And the cost of downtime isn’t only lost sales and output. Unplanned disruptions damage your brand and customer relationships.
Modern natural gas appliances are designed to protect against breakdowns. Built with higher-grade materials and advanced insulation, they are engineered to hold up after years of heavy use. Smart controls that regulate energy and reduce stress on components further contribute to less wear and tear, fewer breakdowns, and greater reliability during peak service hours.
The longer lifespan of high-efficiency appliances supports long-term ROI beyond the payoff point where energy savings equal the upfront cost of new equipment.
Factors that Influence ROI
The timeline for seeing a return on your investment depends on five key points:
- Current equipment age and condition – Older equipment costs significantly more to maintain and tends to be far less energy efficient than newer models. Eliminating repair costs can make a big impact on how quickly you see ROI on an upgrade.
- Usage patterns – High-volume commercial kitchens experience payback sooner compared to businesses that use their equipment sparingly.
- Fuel costs – Local energy rates can impact the formula greatly. It’s important to calculate savings in your location as payback times will vary across the country.
- Efficiency ratings – Higher-rated appliances may come with a larger upfront cost, but typically shorten the payback period.
- Available incentives – Rebates, tax credits, or utility programs can offset initial expenses and speed up ROI. Contact your local natural gas utility to find out what’s available in your market.
Weighing these factors is not only a great way to understand the benefits of natural gas equipment upgrades, but a smart system for determining which appliances to replace first.
Switch to High-Efficiency Natural Gas Appliances and Save
Wondering how much ROI you can expect when upgrading to high-efficiency natural gas appliances? Try these easy-to-use appliance savings calculators from California Energy Wise. You can search by make and model or adjust inputs manually to calculate the breakeven point where appliance upgrades can pay for themselves.
Not sure where to start? Explore these top appliances to boost efficiency or read through our case studies.