What is total cost of ownership (TCO) for kitchen equipment?
TCO is the purchase price plus everything it costs to run and keep over its life - energy, water, and maintenance - typically over about 10 years. Two units with the same sticker can have very different TCO once you add the power bill, which is why the cheaper unit is often the more expensive choice.
Does an energy-efficient commercial fridge pay for itself?
Often yes for high-duty positions. Certified reach-in refrigerators span roughly a 3.7x range in energy use, so a more efficient unit can save enough on power to overtake a cheaper, thirstier one within a few years - the calculator shows the exact break-even year for the units you enter.
How much does it cost to run a commercial refrigerator per year?
Multiply the unit's daily energy use (kWh/day from its spec sheet or ENERGY STAR listing) by 365 and by your electricity rate. For example, 5 kWh/day at $0.16/kWh is about $292/year; a thirstier 9 kWh/day unit is about $525/year - a ~$230/year difference that compounds over a 10-year life.
Where do I find my equipment's energy use?
Check the manufacturer's spec sheet or the ENERGY STAR certified-product listing for kWh/day (refrigeration) or energy efficiency figures. Enter that number here; the presets are typical ranges you should replace with your actual unit's value.