According to the EPA, out of all water consumed commercially, restaurants use about 15% in the U.S. due to the kitchen and dishwashing needs, domestic and restroom usage, landscaping, and other needs.
Something as important as hot water in a restaurant almost doesn’t warrant too much thought, it’s just expected to be there. However, it’s when there is no hot water does it draw attention.
How to avoid running out of hot water
Understand your needs. It’s important to know how much water you need so you can ensure you don’t overuse your appliances and use more hot water than you need to.
Stay up to date. Make sure your dishwashers, pipes, and hot water heaters are current and meet their qualifications. Use energy-efficient equipment to reduce the demand for high water pressure and the appliances correctly so there’s minimal waste.
Conserve when possible. Using less water when possible, while still using enough to properly do what you need to, can help with the demand of hot water you require. For example, minimize the number of dishwashing loads you do by running them only when there’s a full load. Also, minimize the rinse cycle so you’re not wasting water.
Go Tankless. Choose to invest in a tankless water heater. They’re perfect for supplying hot water for the sinks, dishwashers, bathrooms, and landscaping. Since the burners heat the water that flows through the unit, your water gets heated when you need it. They conserve energy by only using it when hot water is needed, not to keep up a hot water reserve, saving you up to 30% on your utility bill.
What to do if you run out of hot water
Figure out the issue. You’ll need to determine why you don’t have any hot water before you can figure out how to solve it. If you’re unable to solve the problem, contact a professional as soon as possible. Calling as soon as you notice something is wrong with your hot water might allow for the situation to be fixed before too many issues arise.
Consider closing early. If you run out of hot water, you might need to close for a few hours or for the day so that the problem can be fixed. This way, you don’t run into issues with serving on improperly cleaned plates or have sanitation concerns.
For more information on how you can ensure your restaurant runs with reduced energy consumption and ways to prevent issues like running out of hot water, contact us at GWT2Energy. We’re happy to share how you can conserve each month to lower your utility bills.
