FEMP Designated Product: Commercial Fryers
Legal Authorities
Federal agencies are required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 23.2 to specify and buy ENERGY STAR®-qualified products or, in categories with no ENERGY STAR label, FEMP-designated products which are among the highest 25 percent of equivalent products for energy efficiency.
Information about energy-efficient commercial fryers in this section includes the following:
Performance Requirements for Federal Purchases
Buying Energy-Efficient Commercial Fryers
Buyer Tips
User Tips
Cost-Effectiveness Example
Cost-Effectiveness Assumptions
Using the Cost-Effectiveness Table
What if my Energy Costs are Different?
For More Information
Also provided is a portable document format version of Purchasing Specifications for Commercial Fryers (PDF 282 KB, 2 pp). Download Adobe Reader.
| Performance Requirements for Federal Purchases | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fryer Type | Cooking Energy Efficiencya | Idle Energy Rateb |
| Gas | 50% or greater | 9,000 Btu/hour or less |
| Electric | 80% or greater | 1,000 watts or less |
a Cooking energy efficiency is defined as the ratio of the energy absorbed by the food to the total energy input to the fryer. Based on the heavy-load efficiency test as prescribed by ASTM Standard Test Method for the Performance of Open Deep-Fat Fryers (F1361).
b Idle energy rate is the amount of energy an appliance uses to maintain a stabilized operating temperature.
Buying Energy-Efficient Commercial Fryers
This purchasing specification applies to commercial, open deep-fat fryers. When buying fryers through commercial sources, select products that are ENERGY STAR®-qualified (see For More Information), all of which meet the Performance Requirements shown above. Most manufacturers display the ENERGY STAR logo on complying models. For models not displaying this logo, check the manufacturer's literature to determine if the cooking energy efficiency and idle energy rate meet this Specification.
The federal supply sources for commercial fryers are the General Services Administration (GSA) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). GSA sells fryers through its Multiple Awards Schedules program and on-line shopping network, GSA Advantage! DLA offers them through the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and online through DoD EMall. Note that not all commercial fryers sold by GSA and DLA are ENERGY STAR-qualified and some products that do qualify may not be indicated as such. When buying through these sources, check the models you are considering against the list of qualified products on the ENERGY STAR web site to assure that they meet this Specification.
Performance requirements apply to all forms of procurements, including: guide and project specifications; construction, renovation, repair, maintenance and energy service contracts; lease agreements and solicitations for offers. Energy performance requirements should be included in all evaluations of solicitation responses. Model language to assist agencies with incorporating these performance requirements into their procurement documents is available here.
Agencies can claim an exception to these requirements through a written finding that no ENERGY STAR-qualified or FEMP-designated product is available to meet the functional requirements, or that no such product is life-cycle cost-effective for the specific application.
Buyer Tips
Features to look for when buying energy-efficient gas fryers include recirculating tubes, low oil volume, induced draft and serpentine heat exchangers, powered and infrared burners. When buying electric fryers, look for improved heating elements and controls. Insulation can increase efficiency in both gas and electric models. Energy-efficient fryers have higher production rates and shorter recovery times than base models, and in some cases can eliminate the need for a backup fryer.
User Tips
Studies have shown that fryers are used 25% of the time they are on. Since most fryers take less than 15 minutes to preheat, implementing a start-up/shut-down schedule could save substantial amounts of energy. Turning off backup fryers during non-peak periods can save up to $150 per year. Don't load fryers beyond their recommended capacity because this will increase cooking time and reduce product quality.
| Cost-Effectiveness Example | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Base Model | Required | Best Availablea | |
| Electric Fryers | ||||
| Cooking Energy Efficiency | 75% | 80% | 84% | |
| Idle Energy Rate | 1,100 watts | 1,000 watts | 740 watts | |
| Annual Energy Use | 15,210 kWh/year | 13,860 kWh/year | 12,465 kWh/year | |
| Annual Energy Cost | $910 | $830 | $750 | |
| Lifetime Energy Costb | $8,180 | $7,460 | $6,740 | |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | — | $720 | $1,440 | |
| Gas Fryers | ||||
| Cooking Energy Efficiency | 35% | 50% | 65% | |
| Idle Energy Rate | 14,000 Btu/hour | 9,000 Btu/hour | 4,180 Btu/hour watts | |
| Annual Energy Use | 1,175 therms | 810 therms | 216 therms | |
| Annual Energy Cost | $700 | $485 | $130 | |
| Lifetime Energy Costb | $5,940 | $4,110 | $1,100 | |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | — | $1,830 | $4,840 | |
a More efficient products may have been introduced to the market since this Specification was published. Information on the Best Available model was obtained from the October 2006 ENERGY STAR commercial fryer products list (see For More Information).
b Lifetime energy cost is the sum of the discounted value of the annual energy costs based on average usage and an assumed commercial fryer of life of 12 years. Future energy price trends and a discount rate of 3.0% are based on federal guidelines (effective from April, 2006 to March, 2007).
Cost-Effectiveness Assumptions
Annual energy use was calculated based on preheat, idle, cooking energy efficiency, and production capacity using ASTM F1361 test results. In this example it is assumed that the gas fryers cook 100 pounds of food during a 12 hours period, 365 days per year, with one daily preheat cycle. The assumed gas price is $0.60/therm, the average at federal facilities in the US.
Using the Cost-Effectiveness Table
In the example above, the Required electric fryer is cost-effective if its purchase price is no more than $720 above the price of the Base Model. The Best Available electric fryer is cost-effective if its price is no more than $1,440 above the price of the Base Model. The Required gas fryer is cost-effective if its purchase price is no more than $1,830 above the price of the Base Model. The Best Available gas fryer is cost-effective if its price is no more than $4,840 above the price of the Base Model.
What if my Energy Costs are Different?
ENERGY STAR has an Excel-based cost calculator for both electric and gas commercial fryers on its Web site. Click on the appropriate Savings Product Calculator in the right hand column. Input the product information and rate for electricity or natural gas at your facility. The output section will automatically display results that more accurately reflect your situation.
For More Information
- DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Information Center
Phone: 1-877-EERE-INF or 1-877-337-3463 - EPA/DOE ENERGY STAR has lists of qualified commercial fryers.
Phone: (888) 782-7937 - General Services Administration, General Products Center, Fort Worth, Texas: Federal Supply Service and GSA Advantage!
Phone: (817) 978-4545 - Defense Logistics Agency: Emall.
- Defense Supply Center Philadelphia.
Phone: (800) DLA-BULB or (215) 737-7950 - The Food Service Technology Center publishes fact sheets and test reports on commercial kitchen equipment.
Phone: (925) 866-2844 - The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers has information on standards, guidelines, and other publications on commercial kitchen equipment.
Phone: (312) 821-0201 - American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has test standards for food service equipment.
Phone: (610) 832-9585 - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Food Services Technology Center provided supporting analysis for this recommendation.
Phone: (202) 646-7950