U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable EnergyFederal Energy Management Program – Energy-Efficient ProductsFEMP Designated Product: Hot Food Holding Cabinets
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 hot food holding cabinets in this section includes the following: Performance Requirements for Federal Purchases Also provided is a portable document format version of Purchasing Specifications for Hot Food Holding Cabinets (PDF 277 KB, 2 pp). Download Adobe Reader.
a Based on an idle energy rate of 40 watts/cubic foot. To determine the Energy Usage for sizes not shown, multiply the cabinet's internal volume (in cu. ft.) by 40. Buying Energy-Efficient Hot Food Holding CabinetsWhen buying hot food holding cabinets 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 and retailers display the ENERGY STAR logo on complying models. For models not displaying this logo, check the manufacturer's literature (Web site, operating manual, product specifications) to determine if the power level or idle energy rate meets this Specification. The federal supply source for hot food holding cabinets is the General Services Administration (GSA), which offers them through Schedule 539. Note that not all hot food holding cabinets sold by GSA are ENERGY STAR-qualified and some products that do qualify may not be indicated as such. When buying from this source, request GSA vendor lists for models that 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 TipsAn insulated cabinet is the most important feature to look for when buying an energy-efficient hot food holding cabinet. In addition to saving energy, insulated cabinets radiate less heat into the kitchen which helps to keep the work environment more comfortable. The insulation will also make the interior temperature more uniform from top to bottom. Select a cabinet size that is appropriate for the amount of food typically served. Choosing an oversized product will increase purchase cost and also waste energy. Hot food holding cabinets are available with other energy saving features such as magnetic gaskets, self-closing doors, temperature and humidity controls, and Dutch doors (for access to part of the cabinet without losing heat from the entire cabinet). User TipsHot food holding cabinets are often left on overnight. Since most products require only fifteen (15) minutes to warm up, turning hot food holding cabinets off when they are empty could save substantially on annual energy costs. Make sure that door gaskets and auto door closers are maintained in good operating condition. Worn door gaskets and faulty auto door closers allow hot air to escape from the cabinet and increase energy consumption.
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 February 2006 ENERGY STAR hot food holding cabinet products list (see For More Information). Cost-Effectiveness AssumptionsAnnual energy use in this example is based on a 24.8 cubic foot hot food holding cabinet operating for 15 hours per day, 365 days per year at a typical temperature setting of 150° F. The assumed electric price is 6.0¢/kWh, the federal average electricity price in the US. Using the Cost-Effectiveness TableIn the example above, the Required hot food holding cabinet, with an idle rate of 40.0 watts per cubic foot (w/cu. ft.) and energy usage of 992 watts, is cost-effective if its purchase price is no more than $1,810 above the price of the Base Model. The Best Available model, with an idle rate of 6.65 w/cu. ft. and energy usage of 165 watts, is cost-effective if its price is no more than $4,760 above the price of the Base Model. What if my Electricity Price is Different?ENERGY STAR has an Excel-based cost calculator for hot food holding cabinets on its Web site. Click on Savings Product Calculator in the right hand column. Input the product information and rate for electricity at your facility. The output section will automatically display results that more accurately reflect your situation. For More Information
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