Energy bills can make or break a business—especially in a kitchen. Refrigeration alone can chew up over 50% of your electricity. And here’s the harsh truth: most kitchens are haemorrhaging cash through outdated or poorly maintained appliances.
Let’s start with the obvious. Old fridges and freezers are absolute money pits. They guzzle power, break more often, and struggle to hold temperature. If your unit’s over 10–12 years old, it’s likely costing you way more than you think.
Check the energy rating. Modern commercial appliances come labelled. Aim for A-rated or higher. Anything below that is a silent cash drain. The difference between a B-rated and an A-rated fridge over a year? Could be thousands in savings.
Now check where your appliances are. Got fridges parked next to ovens or grills? Or baking in direct sunlight? They’ll work overtime to stay cold. That means more energy used, more wear on parts. Even shifting them a metre away from a heat source can drop your energy spend significantly.
Door seals—one of the sneakiest culprits. Cracked or dodgy seals let cold air leak, forcing the compressor to work harder. You won’t hear it, but you’ll feel it in your bill. And eventually, you’ll be calling in appliance repair when the motor burns out.
Defrost cycles are another hidden cost. Some units defrost way too often, especially if the sensors are off. That eats electricity. A good tech can tweak the settings for max efficiency. Again—appliance repair isn’t just for when things die. It’s for keeping them lean and efficient.
Let’s talk airflow. Don’t stack boxes right up to the ceiling. Don’t block the fans. Poor circulation makes your fridge or freezer work harder. More strain, more energy, shorter lifespan. Train your team to load smart.
Temperature settings matter too. Keeping your fridge at 1°C when 4°C is fine? That’s wasted power. Same with freezers—don’t overfreeze unless you have to. Dial it in with precision. That alone can shave serious money off your bill.
And here’s a pro tip: buy new gear during the cooler months. Prices tend to dip, and you won’t be stuck paying top dollar for emergency installs when something blows mid-summer.
Service matters. Clean coils. Check thermostats. Inspect gaskets. A neglected fridge is an expensive fridge. Regular maintenance keeps things efficient and avoids mid-shift meltdowns that require urgent (and expensive) appliance repair.
Want to know exactly what’s burning through your cash? Plug in an energy monitor or install a smart meter. Once you see those numbers in black and white, it’s a lot easier to justify an upgrade.
Energy waste is quiet. You don’t notice it day-to-day. But over time, it eats your margins alive.
And let’s be honest—no one wants to be the person explaining to their accountant why the kitchen’s leccy bill looks like a second rent payment. Especialy not now.