Hawaii Energy Introduces New Cash Incentives, Free Low-Flow Spray Nozzles for Commercial Kitchens

HONOLULU, April 3, 2015 –Hawaii Energy introduces new cash incentives for restaurants and organizations with commercial kitchens, such as schools, hospitals and hotels, in an effort to reduce high energy usage by offsetting the cost of installing energy-efficient equipment.

Hawaii Energy, the ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program serving Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu offers more than a dozen new incentives for ENERGY STAR® ovens, refrigerators, freezers, steam cookers, fryers, hot food holding cabinets and electric griddles.  On average, 23 percent of the energy used by full-service restaurants comes from refrigeration and 14 percent from cooking. 

Incentive amounts range from $100 to $325 for commercial ice machines and from $500 to $2,400 for combination ovens.  Amounts will vary based on the type, size and design specifications of each unit.

The program will continue offering incentives for ENERGY STAR refrigerator trade-ins, kitchen exhaust hood demand ventilations and refrigerated night covers.

“There’s huge energy savings potential for restaurants considering most are open day and night – some 24/7,” said Larry Newman, Director of Business Programs, Hawaii Energy.  “We strongly encourage all electric ratepayers to take advantage of these new incentives and others that are completely free such as our spray nozzle and lighting offers for small businesses and restaurants.”

Hawaii Energy also provides free low-flow pre-rinse spray nozzles (valued at $60 each) for businesses and organizations with commercial kitchens.  Since energy is required to pump, transport and treat water, using less water can save more energy.

In order to qualify, businesses must be an electric utility ratepayer and heat their water either with heat pumps or electric water heaters.  The nozzles are designed to spray water to remove excess food on dishes prior to cleaning in a dishwasher.  They are easily interchangeable and do not require professional installation.  The nozzles are only available while supplies last.

The nozzles have a flow rate of just 1.28 gallons per minute (GPM) compared to 2.25 GPMs with traditional valves.  Full-service restaurants typically use the nozzles four hours per day, which translates to saving about 233 gallons of water daily or 85,045 gallons annually.  The energy savings translates to 1,553 kilowatt hours (kWh) or $394[1] annually for restaurants with heat pumps.  Restaurants with electric water heaters can save approximately 4,753 kWh or $1,200 annually. 

Additionally, Hawaii Energy continues to offer its Small Business Direct Install Lighting program (SBDIL) that provides free[2] lighting, consultation and installation.  About 18 percent of a restaurant’s overall energy usage comes from lighting.

In order to qualify, businesses must have an individual meter and be on an electric rate schedule G, or occupy a space of less than 5,000 square feet.  Restaurants on any electric rate schedule and of any size can qualify since they are a historically underserved business segment.

Participants are required to work with a Hawaii Energy-approved lighting contractor for an assessment, approval and lighting installation.

For more information about Hawaii Energy’s kitchen equipment incentives, free low-flow pre-rinse spray nozzles or SBDIL program, please call 839-8880 on Oahu or toll-free on the neighbor islands at (877) 231-8222.  Visit HawaiiEnergy.com/restaurant (kitchen equipment) and HawaiiEnergy.com/retrofit (SBDIL program).