The baking industry is known for being an energy-intensive business. While it has the usual energy needs such as lighting and heat, it also requires energy for utilities such as power ovens, mixers, fridges and freezers. This can lead to high energy bills and shrinking profit margins, especially as energy prices rise.
It’s now so important for bakers to consider their energy usage and take steps to work more efficiently. By doing this, not only can they improve their bottom line, but they can also make their businesses more sustainable —reducing their impact on the environment.
Fortunately, many bakeries could do a lot more to save energy. While the changes may seem small, the combined results can be huge. In fact, if a business cuts its energy use by 20%, this could represent the same benefit as a 5% increase in sales. So, it really does pay to pay attention to energy waste.
This could be via equipment changes, tweaking operations or finding those places where energy is being unnecessarily lost. Business gas supplier, Flogas, has put together its top tips for UK bakeries to help them save energy and reap the financial and environmental rewards…
Know your energy usage
Don’t bury your head. The first step to managing your energy is to know how much gas and electricity your bakery uses each year. Only then can you see where efficiencies can be made.
While certain points of energy waste can indeed appear obvious, including inefficient equipment, others might remain out of sight. Smart meters, for example, will \ show where your biggest energy expenditures are in real time. Once you have a clear picture, you can then make an informed energy reduction plan for maximum impact.
Do regular checks
Be sure to routinely check your equipment so you’re not missing a trick. For example, if your freezer coils get dirty, that could impact energy use by as much as 50%. So, regular cleaning will help ensure maximum efficiency. Similarly, watch out for leaky sinks and dishwashers, which could be costing you a fortune without you realising. Regular checks mean you can avoid letting valuable water (and money) drip away.
Also, it could be worth adding your heating system to your checklist. Heating costs can increase by 30% or more if the boiler is poorly operated or maintained.
Make small changes
Make sure your staff are on board with the changes and you could see a big difference. For example, create a list of equipment that can be switched off fully after hours (or set to timers) and make sure people get into good energy-use habits. Ask staff to help check if heat is being unnecessarily wasted, flagging any cold draughts (so they can be fitted with draught strips or seals). Or check that windows aren’t being left open during the heating season and turn down the thermostat, instead.
Invest in energy efficient equipment
When you purchase new equipment, look into energy efficient machines and appliances as this will automatically have a positive impact on your operating expenses. Baking is typically the most energy0-intensive process in the production of baked goods, so an efficient oven is likely to deliver some of the biggest savings.
Lighting is another factor that can make a big difference. For example, efficient LEDs use around 80% less electricity than standard bulbs and provide a long lifespan of around 50,000 hours. The Carbon Trust has a Green Business Fund, providing independent advice and procurement support for small-medium-sized business looking to make energy-saving equipment purchases.
Negotiate a better energy deal
Make sure you don’t just sign up to an energy deal and fail to look at it again. Lots of utility companies will lure you in with an unmissable deal in year one, then hike their prices in the following years — or put you on a more expensive variable rate once your fixed price deal ends. When it’s time to renew, make sure you’ve researched the best options. If there’s a better offer on the table, take it. For example, you might opt for an extended fixed-term contract to futureproof your bakery from price rises.
