How to Lease an Energy-Efficient Beverage Vending Machine

Information about energy-efficient beverage vending machines in this section includes the following:

Efficiency Recommendation
Cost-Effectiveness Example
Why Lease

Also provided is a portable document format version of How to Lease an Energy-Efficient Beverage Vending Machine (PDF 227 KB, 2 pp). Download Adobe Reader.

Efficiency Recommendation
Capacity^a	Recommended kWh/day^b,c	Best Available kWh/day^d
401 to 500 cans	7.2 or less	—
501 to 600 cans	7.7 or less	5.7
601 to 700 cans	8.2 or less	6.0
701 to 800 cans	8.7 or less	6.7
801 to 900 cans	9.2 or less	7.5

^a Capacity is the number of 12 ounce cans a machine is rated to hold. Please note that while actual number held is reduced for machines vending larger products (i.e. 20 ounce plastic bottles), the rated capacity remains the same.
^b Maximum kWh/day is shown for the most common machine capacities. For machines with other rated capacities use this formula:
Y = 0.55[8.66+(0.009*C)], where Y = kWh/day and C = capacity.
^c Energy use based on the Canadian standard test procedure CAN/CSA 804-96 (ASHRAE Standard 32.1-1997).
^d From the June 2003 California Energy Commission database. Note that this was the best data at the time and that more efficient products may now be available.

Cost-Effectiveness Example^a
Performance	Base Model^b	Recommended Level	Best Available
kilowatt-hours/day	11.1	7.7	5.7
Annual Energy Use^c	4,052 kWh	2,810 kWh	2,089 kWh
Annual Energy Cost	$243	$170	$125
Five Year Energy Cost^d	$1,055	$740	$545
Five Year Energy Cost Savings	—	$315	$510

^a Annual energy use calculation is based on a 550 can machine operating 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The assumed price for electricity is $0.06 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), the average for federal facilities.
^b Based on field measurements of 2002 model vending machine.
^c Does not include savings from control features. With low-power feature enabled, vending machine energy use will be less in facilities with long, unoccupied periods.
^d Five Year Energy Cost is the sum of the discounted value of annual energy costs based on average usage and an assumed beverage vending machine lease of 5 years. Future electricity price trends and a discount rate of 3.0% are based on federal guidelines (effective from April, 2003 to March, 2004).

Why Lease an Energy-Efficient Beverage Vending Machine?

When your agency initiates or renews a vending machine agreement, you should require the beverage distributor to use energy-efficient models with the ENERGY STAR^® label (see "For More Information"). While the distributor may provide machines at no charge, your agency pays for the energy to operate them. Some machines use up to 16 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day, which can result in your agency paying $350 per year in operating costs.

Manufacturers are now incorporating efficient fans, compressors and lighting into their products. In addition, controls are being added that shut off lighting and allow the beverage temperature to rise slightly during periods of prolonged inactivity. These improvements reduce energy use and operating cost between 30 and 50%.

Even though your agency may lease rather than purchase vending machines, your agreement can require the beverage distributor to place ENERGY STAR^® labeled models in your facility. A vending machine with the ENERGY STAR^® label meets the performance recommendations shown in the table above and has controls that reduce lighting and cooling energy use at night, on weekends or other unoccupied periods. Direct the vendor to enable the lighting and refrigeration low-power state. However, do not use the cooling setback if the vending machine has dairy products, fresh juices or other items that can spoil without constant refrigeration.

User Tips

Some federal agencies or facilities may have agreements that cannot be changed for several years. In these cases, ask the distributor if VendingMisers or other external control devices can be connected to the beverage machines. These devices use motion sensors to power down the vending machines when the area surrounding them is unoccupied for several hours. If the machines are incompatible with these control devices, ask the distributor to remove the light bulbs or disconnect the lighting.

For More Information

ENERGY STAR^® has an online list of products that meet this recommendation.
Phone: (877) 337-3463
The California Energy Commission collects data on energy use in vending machines and other commercial appliances and equipment.
Phone: (916) 654-4058
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided supporting analysis for this recommendation.
Phone: (202) 646-7950