Besides the initial cost of owning a vending machine, you also need to spend a monthly fee to operate the machine. Therefore, you need to pay attention to factors that help reduce vending machine’s operating costs to bring maximum profit for you.
How to reduce the vending machine’s operating costs
Vending machine’s operating costs
Vending machines are electrically operated and operate 24 hours a day 365 days a year. They consume electrical energy and also add extra load to cool the cabinet. Therefore, the operation of vending machines will have to spend a large number of electricity costs, ranging from 8 million to 10 million electricity bills per year.
How to reduce vending machine's operating costs
How to reduce vending machine's operating costs
Refrigerant is a factor that affects the power consumption of your vending machine. Choosing a natural refrigerant will help save electricity for the machine. This refrigerant is an initiative of PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Company, which have eliminated the greenhouse gas HFC from the refrigerant composition and used a natural substitute. You can contact the vending machine company for this refrigerant conversion.
Better use of light
Your vending machine will consume a large amount of electricity in providing light for the machine. A typical vending machine will have a front panel, use 2-3 high-wattage T12 fluorescent lamps, and are powered by a conventional magnetic ballast, consuming up to 150 - 180 watts of power. Additionally, the heat emitted from the lamp will also increase the load of the air conditioner, causing more power consumption.
Therefore, to save electricity, you should look for lamps to replace T8 bulbs and electronic ballasts to reduce power usage. In addition, you can choose to use LED lights with a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours to save electricity up to 65% compared to fluorescent bulbs. As a result, electricity costs are completely cut.
Turn off the light
Besides choosing the type of light bulb to help save energy, you can set a timer to turn off the lights late at night or during non-essential hours. This timer will help save electricity significantly, because they only allow lights to be turned on when customers are present.
Choose the ENERGY STAR rated machine model
In order to reduce vending machine’s operating cost , you should choose an ENERGY STAR rated machine - which is a standard vending machine that saves about 40% - 50% of energy compared to conventional machines.
This machine model uses compressors, fan motors and lighting components more efficiently. The machine must be combined with software that can operate the machine in low power lighting and cooling state.
Using passive infrared occupancy sensor
Vending machines are equipped with a passive infrared occupancy sensor that will allow the compressor and fluorescent lights to be turned off when no one is nearby. The temperature sensor will provide power to the machine in the appropriate time frames, to ensure that the product is always cool but still can save power.
Well located
Vending machines located in shady areas tend to be more sustainable, use less energy and use less electricity. In locations exposed to direct sunlight or high temperature can make the compressor work harder to maintain a suitable environment for food, therefore, consuming more energy and reducing the life of the machine.
Using the controller
You can use an external control, which has a sensor used to switch the machine to empty mode after 15 minutes of inactivity, reducing the compressor cycle required to reduce power consumption.
How to have the best choice for vending machine
Choose the machine’s location
Machine’s placing location has a big impact on energy savings. The higher the pedestrian location, the lower the power savings from some measures such as occupancy sensors or lighting controls. For example, if the machine is placed in a hotel lobby, crowded center, the power saving is only about 25%.
Demand with supplier
Ask your machine supplier for ENERGY STAR rated models or the most efficient machines to help reduce operating costs.
For advice and selection of the machine model that is suitable for your needs and maximum savings in operating costs, you can contact Dropfoods through the following contact information:
Address: Unit 401 PVFCCo Tower, 43 Mac Dinh Chi Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, HCMC. (Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm)
Phone: (84) 28 6290 6066
Email: contact@dropfoods.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dropfoods
Evaluate the operating frequency of the compressor
An active compressor consumes energy to cool the product in the vending machine. Therefore, you need to determine how cold the product for sale needs to be delivered and use ways to reduce energy consumption from the compressor.
As can be seen, in addition to the initial investment cost, you also need to spend an expense to operate the vending machine. Therefore, the application of ways to reduce operating costs is necessary to bring maximum profit for you. Hopefully the above sharing will help you find the suitable method to optimize your vending machine model.
