Serious refrigeration requires serious energy. This can become a big commitment for both new and experienced frozen yogurt shops, where refrigeration is a key expense. This required cost can pose a few problems as froyo establishments work to balance their summer revenues with annual operating costs – and heat waves.

Fortunately, there are many techniques that frozen yogurt owners and managers can use to help lower refrigeration costs and improve their bottom lines. Let’s examine some of the most efficient electricity bill saving tips and how they can be applied to lowering electric bill strategies.

Choosing Larger Models

It may seem counterintuitive at first, but switching to larger-model refrigeration equipment –especially walk-in refrigerators for supplies– can help control cooling bills. The key is circulation. Cold air needs to properly circulate throughout a space to keep it cold. If the space is too small and the refrigeration needs are significant, the air won’t be able to circulate efficiently, which means that cooling equipment needs to work harder, resulting in higher costs. Make sure that air has room to move around refrigerated spaces, and more efficient cooling can result.

If you are considering upgrading to larger refrigeration areas, also think about adding automatic door closes to these areas, so exposure to warm air is limited as much as possible. The two changes have plenty of synergy with each other!

Lowering Your Energy Rate

You may be locked into a fixed-rate energy contract but the experts at RK Energy Group have the knowledge and connections to negotiate and get you a lower rate. With the amount of energy your frozen yogurt business is using daily, this could result in significant savings.

Defrost Management

The defrost cycle keeps cooling systems from freezing up and jamming. However, mismanagement of the defrost cycle can raise cooling costs without providing any benefit in return. As a general rule, four 15-minute defrost cycles per day are all that restaurant-grade refrigeration systems require (specific requirements can vary). If defrost cycles run much longer than this, they create inefficiencies and can raise cooling costs. It’s important to understand exactly how the defrost controls on a refrigeration system work and make sure they are set to recommended times.

Insulated Refrigerant

Large refrigerator systems tend to have longer refrigerant lines for transporting the refrigerant, the key material that transfers heat. When these lines are un-insulated, they can lose heat and gain heat as the refrigerant travels, which makes the whole system less efficient. Line insulation is affordable and easy to install, making this a simple upgrade that nearly every frozen yogurt place can try.

Removing Unnecessary Sources of Heat

Any heat in the restaurant can force the refrigeration system to work harder. Of course, you can’t remove all the heat, but there are a few target sources you may want to get rid of. First, if you have any door heaters, you can disable or remove them to cut down on heat – door heaters aren’t really necessary, and don’t make much sense in a frozen yogurt establishment anyway (although many restaurant buildings may include them in construction). Second, take a look at your lighting. Are there any lights, especially incandescent lighting, that you can replace with energy-efficient, low-temperature LED lighting? Even small changes like this can make a significant difference over time.

Night Covers

Do you use displays for any of your refrigerated products? If so, invest in night covers to cover up these displays at night. This is a great way save on refrigeration costs and help protect your inventory, especially during warm summer nights. Covers and insulation like this may also have associated rebates or discounts!

Equipment Upgrades

Not sure how to upgrade your equipment, or which new features to focus on when looking for replacements? RK Energy Group help with upgrading your lighting, lowering your energy rates, and replacing equipment so you can find more efficient refrigeration and lower costs throughout your establishment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS TO LOWER THE ELECTRIC BILL AT YOUR FROZEN YOGURT BUSINESS

1. Look for more sources of insulation
2. Reduce heat throughout your establishment
3. Understand how defrost cycles and refrigerant work
4. lower your electricity rate by working with RK Energy Group
5. Contact RK Energy Group for more information on specific strategies