Guests Never Notice. Your Energy Bill Does.
Pubs, restaurants and hospitality operators run on tight margins. Energy is one of the few significant costs that can be reduced without cutting quality, service or headcount. The question is where to start.
Where Hospitality Energy Spend Goes to Waste
Hospitality premises carry some of the highest energy costs per square metre of any commercial building type. Catering equipment runs continuously regardless of service volume. Refrigeration operates 24 hours. Extraction systems are frequently left at full capacity when kitchens are quiet. HVAC in dining areas runs to fixed schedules that bear no relation to covers or occupancy.
Most of this waste is not visible on a standard energy bill. It shows up as a high total cost with no clear explanation of where it is going. The starting point for any hospitality energy programme is identifying which systems are consuming disproportionate energy, which can be controlled differently without affecting service, and what the financial case is for each change before any investment is made.
The Highest-Cost Systems
- Catering equipment: ovens, fryers and dishwashers running outside service periods
- Refrigeration: poorly maintained seals, overstocked units, no night blinds
- Extraction: running at full speed when kitchen output is low
- HVAC: heating and cooling dining areas on fixed schedules regardless of covers
- Lighting: front-of-house on when the premises is closed or unoccupied
The Commercial Case
- Energy is typically the third-largest cost in hospitality after food and labour
- Margins are thin: a 20 percent reduction in energy cost is directly additive to profit
- Rising energy prices have compressed margins in recent years
- Energy performance is increasingly relevant to pub company and franchise relationships
- EPC requirements apply to leased premises and affect landlord and tenant obligations
How Evolution NetZero Works With Hospitality Operators
Free Desktop Review
Using existing consumption data, we identify likely waste areas and provide an indicative savings range before any site visit is commissioned. No disruption, no cost, no obligation. Useful for operators who want to understand the opportunity before committing budget.
On-Site Energy Diagnostic
A paid site-based review covering catering equipment, refrigeration, extraction, HVAC and lighting. We identify specific waste sources and produce a prioritised action plan ordered by financial return and ease of implementation.
Multi-Site Programmes
For pub companies, restaurant groups and managed estate operators, we coordinate energy reviews across multiple sites, identifying consistent waste patterns and prioritising the highest-return locations for early action.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a pub or restaurant save on energy?
This depends on how the premises is currently managed and how much waste is present in catering, refrigeration and HVAC. For hospitality operators who have not previously reviewed energy use systematically, reductions of 15 to 25 percent on total energy spend are often achievable through practical changes to scheduling, controls and maintenance. The free desktop report provides an indicative range for your specific premises before any site-based work is commissioned.
What does a hospitality energy audit involve?
A hospitality energy review covers all significant energy systems: catering equipment, refrigeration, extraction, HVAC, lighting and hot water. We identify which systems are consuming disproportionate energy, what controls or scheduling changes would reduce waste, and what the payback period is for any investment recommended. We do not recommend changes that would affect service quality or customer experience.
Can energy reviews be carried out without closing the premises?
Yes. Site-based reviews are typically carried out at times that minimise operational impact. For most hospitality premises, a review can be completed in a single visit without requiring the premises to close. We plan site access around service periods and operational requirements.
We also work with hospitality operators across Hampshire — see how we support businesses in Hampshire.