With the winter coming, not only individual households but also businesses are being hit hard by the cost of electricity and rising bills. As the cost of living rises, it can be especially hard for those in industries like food and catering, since people are likely to spend less on eating out as the purse strings continue to be tightened. So, here are our seven top tips on ways you can reduce the amount of energy you use and therefore save some extra money for your restaurant or takeaway over the coming months.

1. Reduced menu

Running a wide array of kitchen appliances for an extended period of time is one of the most costly things for any restaurant when it comes to energy costs. So, to help you save, it can be beneficial to reduce your menu by a few items, or down to a select, special menu over the winter period. You could advertise this as a winter menu or Christmas menu, all the while saving money since it will be easier for you to bulk cook items when you are offering a smaller range.

2. Turn down the thermostat one degree

A common trick that may seem insignificant at the moment but can be a great way to save you a lot of money over time is to turn your thermostat down by just one degree. You are unlikely to feel the difference of this change when it comes to temperature, however, over the year it can add up to significant savings for your business.

3. Energy saving lights

One of the easiest ways to reduce your electricity costs without any impact on your daily service or interior is to make sure that you are choosing energy-saving lights. Decoration and lighting are key parts of interior decor, so you shouldn't have to sacrifice keeping your restaurant lit up as the evenings get darker. To combat this, you should simply pay close attention to what kind of bulbs you are buying.

Some older lightbulbs are so inefficient that they are no longer legally allowed to be produced, however, stores can still sell their remaining stocks. To ensure you aren't paying out more than you need to when it comes to lighting, always purchase energy-efficient options such as LED or CFL so that your energy bill is kept as low as possible.

4. Cleaning extraction systems

It is widely known that the more dirt and debris that is within your extraction systems, the harder they will have to work. To ensure they are efficient, you should make sure to clean them frequently. This tip also applies to any stovetops or ovens - the more built-up dirt and food residue that gets between the hob and the saucepan, the longer and harder it will have to work to heat up to temperature. All of this time and energy is costing you extra, so make sure to keep your appliances clean and therefore efficient.

5. Keep cool rooms sealed

In a similar vein, it can help to frequently defrost your fridge and make sure it is clean. At the same time, make sure seals on any fridges or cool room doors are intact and working to make sure you aren't spending out on unnecessary heating or cooling costs as the temperature bleeds between rooms. It also pays to be aware of what you are storing in your fridge. If it is only cooling fizzy drinks, for example, then you could turn it off overnight to avoid wasting money on keeping something chilled when it doesn't need to be.

6. Insulate pipes

Getting the correct piping to insulate hot water is a great way to avoid wasting money on extra heating since water can stay hot more efficiently and for longer. When it comes to water, you could also use spray taps to reduce the amount of water you use. Where hot water is concerned, this can also help to save on heating more water than necessary.

7. Use effective equipment

Here at Cooksmill, we have a huge range of equipment that means you can keep working at the top of your game with reliable and efficient kitchen tools. We also provide lots of advice and help for those who run restaurants or catering services, so make sure to keep following for more tips and tricks that can make sure you get to keep spreading joy with your food for as long as possible.