.png){kind=logo}
Running a commercial kitchen means you are constantly watching your energy bills. Whether you manage a bakery, a hotel kitchen, or a quick service restaurant, the electricity and gas it takes to keep things running can surprise even the most seasoned owner.
With growing pressure to cut costs and make operations more sustainable, many operators are searching for ways to spend less and waste less. Here’s where AI can be a powerful ally in helping you use less energy, operate more smoothly, and meet today’s demands for a climate-friendly business.
There’s no question that commercial kitchens burn through a lot of energy. According to estimates, catering activities account for 63% of energy use in restaurant premises.
The operation of appliances, which include ovens and stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers, creates multiple hours of operation, generating extreme heat emissions that demand advanced ventilation systems for effective cooling. The considerable water usage in kitchens requires additional electricity resources, which are necessary to pump, heat, and drain water. All of these systems are essential, but together, they create a large energy footprint.
That’s where AI comes in. By combining sensors with smart software, AI can help kitchens boost efficiency, improve food safety, keep staff safe, and even predict when equipment will need repairs.
AI is not just for tech giants. Even small kitchens can benefit from AI tools and technology. Here’s how:
AI can track fridge and freezer temperatures and warn you if food safety is at risk.
It monitors oven and cooker use to reduce over-baking and extra preheat time.
By learning customer trends, AI helps you adjust ordering to reduce food waste and excessive costs.
It analyzes when appliances are used so they can be turned off during downtime.
AI even helps train staff by tracking routines and suggesting ways to save time or move more efficiently.
By connecting appliances and analyzing data, AI helps owners spot waste, improve safety, and keep everyone on track.
One big step toward saving energy is knowing exactly where it goes. AI lets you do this with submetering. This involves installing sensors directly on each appliance to record its real energy use.
Over time, the data shows where most of your power is being spent. When you have this clear view, you notice which machines work hardest, or when equipment is left on by mistake. You can spot hidden waste and start correcting those habits.
Now that you know what is “normal,” AI keeps an eye out for things that go wrong. If an appliance uses more energy than normal, you get an alert on your phone or dashboard. This early warning lets you fix problems before you even see a bigger electric bill.
The open door might have come from another cooler door that remained open, or the dishwasher stopped functioning due to a timer malfunction. The early discovery of an issue, together with your proactive efforts to resolve it, will result in cost savings that keep your yearly energy expenses under control.
Another way AI makes a difference is by handling start and stop schedules for you. It can track the times when you need ovens or cooking equipment and turn them off when business is slow.
Let’s say your lunch rush begins at 11:30 a.m. AI learns this pattern and only starts preheating the equipment you commonly use just in time. When things slow down in the afternoon, systems can power down, saving both gas and electricity. This reduces wear on your gear, too.
Not every kitchen needs the biggest, most powerful gear. AI helps you calculate how much capacity your equipment really needs by looking at sales, covers, and past volume. When you need to replace or upgrade an appliance, it pays to compare models with lower power draws and smarter features.
This is particularly important for appliances that are essential for your core operations, such as convection ovens for bakeries. When you identify your requirements for power, size, and settings, you will find it easy to evaluate different models and specifications and their energy consumption. The AI system enables you to find equipment that matches your specific requirements.
Tracking is key. With AI collecting the data, you can develop helpful KPIs (key performance indicators) like kilowatt-hours per meal served, or total energy use per day. These numbers let you make comparisons from week to week or between locations.
With these analytics at hand, you can set targets, measure savings, and motivate the team by showing real results from the changes you’ve made.
Finally, many utility companies offer rebates when you reduce usage or upgrade to high-efficiency appliances. An AI system or sensor set-up can help you save money in unexpected ways!
Increase your kitchen’s efficiency, manage costs smarter, and support a greener operation by adding AI to your toolkit. With a step-by-step approach, you will see how much energy you can save and take proactive, targeted steps to cut waste!
