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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Covered Product Category: Commercial Fryers

ENERGY STAR Qualified Products

Updated March 2012

FEMP provides acquisition guidance across a variety of product categories, including commercial fryers, which are an ENERGY STAR®-qualified product category. Federal laws and executive orders mandate that agencies meet these efficiency requirements in all procurement and acquisition actions that are not specifically exempted by law.

Most manufacturers display the ENERGY STAR label on complying models. For a model not displaying this label, check the manufacturer's literature to determine if it meets the efficiency requirements outlined by ENERGY STAR.

This product category overview covers the following:

Energy Efficiency Requirements for Federal Purchases

For the most up-to-date efficiency levels required by ENERGY STAR, look for the ENERGY STAR label or visit the ENERGY STAR Product Specifications website. For more information, contact the FEMP point of contact listed at the bottom of this page.

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Save Up To $5,000 In Energy Costs When You Buy ENERGY STAR-Qualified Products

Electric Deep-Fat Fryers

FEMP has calculated1 that the required ENERGY STAR-qualified electric deep-fat fryer is cost effective if priced no more than $335 above the less efficient alternative. The most efficient level saves the average user more money: $915. The complete cost effectiveness example and associated assumptions are provided in table 1 below.

Table 1. Cost Effectiveness Example—Electric, Standard Open Deep-Fat Fryer
Performance Standard Model Required Model Best Availablea
Cooking Energy Efficiency 75% 80% 89%
Idle Energy Rate 1,100 watts 1,000 watts 728 watts
Annual Energy Use 7,772 kWh 7,224 kWh 6,270 kWh
Annual Energy Cost $700 $650 $565
Lifetime Energy Cost (8 years) $4,730 $4,395 $3,815
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings ====== $335 $915

a More-efficient products may have been introduced to the market since this table was published.

Gas Deep-Fat Fryer

FEMP has calculated2 that the required ENERGY STAR-qualified gas deep-fat fryer is cost effective if priced no more than $3,710 above the less efficient alternative. The most efficient level saves the average user more money: $5,105. The complete cost effectiveness example and associated assumptions are provided in table 2 below.

Table 2. Cost Effectiveness Example—Gas, Large Vat Open Deep-Fat Fryer
Performance Standard Model Required Model Best Availablea
Cooking Energy Efficiency 35% 50% 59%
Idle Energy Rate 16,000 Btu/hour 12,000 Btu/hour 10,260 Btu/hour
Annual Energy Use 1,567 Therm 1,139 Therm 978 Therm
Annual Energy Cost $1,410 $1,025 $880
Lifetime Energy Cost (12 years) $13,580 $9,870 $8,475
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings ====== $3,710 $5,105

a More-efficient products may have been introduced to the market since this table was published.

ENERGY STAR has a Microsoft Excel–based cost calculator for electric and gas commercial fryers. To modify the utility price, click on the appropriate Savings Product Calculator in the right-hand column. Input the product information and rate for electricity or natural gas at your facility. The output section will automatically display results that more accurately reflect your situation.

Determining When ENERGY STAR Is Cost Effective

An efficient product is cost effective when the discounted savings (from avoided energy costs over the life of the product) exceed the additional up-front cost (if any) compared to a less efficient option. ENERGY STAR and FEMP consider up-front costs and lifetime energy savings when setting required efficiency levels so that Federal purchasers can assume that ENERGY STAR-qualified and products meeting FEMP-designated efficiency requirements are life-cycle cost effective. However, users wishing to determine cost effectiveness for their application may do so using the cost effectiveness examples in table 1 and table 2, or the commercial fryer energy and cost calculator.

Exceptions

Products meeting FEMP-designated efficiency requirements or ENERGY STAR performance specifications may not be life-cycle cost effective in certain low-use applications, such as when a device is being purchased for backup purposes and will remain in off mode for most of its useful life. For most other average or high-use applications, purchasers will find that energy-efficient products have the lowest life-cycle cost.

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Buying Energy-Efficient Commercial Fryers

This product overview applies to commercial standard and large vat open deep-fat fryers. In the Federal sector these products are typically used in commercial food service operations like cafeterias, dining halls, snack bars, and officer clubs. Pressure, specialty, and fryers less than 12 inches or greater than 24 inches wide are excluded. When buying fryers through commercial sources, select products that are ENERGY STAR-qualified. Most manufacturers display the ENERGY STAR logo on complying models. For models not displaying this logo, check the manufacturer's literature to determine if the cooking energy efficiency and idle energy rate meet ENERGY STAR's product specifications.

The Federal supply sources for commercial fryers are the General Services Administration (GSA) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). GSA sells fryers through its Multiple Awards Schedules program and online shopping network, GSA Advantage! DLA offers them through the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and online through the Department of Defense (DoD) EMALL. Products sold through DLA are codified with a 13-digit National Stock Number (NSN) and, in some cases, a two-letter Environmental Attribute Code (ENAC). The ENAC identifies items that have positive environmental characteristics and meet standards set by an approved third party, such as FEMP and ENERGY STAR. When buying commercial fryers through DLA sources, look for models with the ENAC "JN" attached to the end of the NSN.

These requirements apply to all forms of procurement, including guide and project specifications; construction, renovation, repair, energy service, and operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts; lease agreements; and solicitations for offers. Energy performance requirements should be included in all evaluations of solicitation responses. Buyers shall insert the standard clause from Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) section 52.223-15 into contracts and solicitations that deliver, acquire, furnish, or specify energy-consuming products for use in Federal facilities. Agencies can claim an exception to these requirements through a written finding that no ENERGY STAR-qualified or FEMP-designated product is life-cycle cost effective for a specific application.

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Buyer Tips

When buying commercial fryers, specify or select products that are ENERGY STAR-qualified. A list of qualified products is available on the ENERGY STAR website. Select a model that is an appropriate size for its intended use. Oversized products will increase the initial cost and lead to excessive expenses due to additional energy losses.

Features to look for when buying energy-efficient gas fryers include recirculating tubes, low oil volume, induced draft and serpentine heat exchangers, and powered and infrared burners. When buying electric fryers, look for improved heating elements and controls. Insulation can increase efficiency in both gas and electric models. Energy-efficient fryers have higher production rates and shorter recovery times than base models, and in some cases can eliminate the need for a backup fryer.

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User Tips: How to Use Products More Efficiently

Studies have shown that fryers are used 25% of the time they are on. Since most fryers take less than 15 minutes to preheat, implementing a start-up/shut-down schedule could save substantial amounts of energy. Turning off backup fryers during nonpeak periods can save up to $150 per year. Do not load fryers beyond their recommended capacity because this will increase cooking time and reduce product quality.

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For More Information

The following resources provide additional information surrounding the purchase of efficient products:

Amanda Sahl
Federal Energy Management Program
202-586-1662
amanda.sahl@ee.doe.gov

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1 Based on the following assumptions: Assumes a standard open deep-fat electric fryer is used an average of 8 hours per day, 250 days per year; which is typical for cafeterias in Federal facilities that serve two meals per day. The performance of the Standard Model represents what is commonly used in commercial kitchens, while that of the Required Model meets the ENERGY STAR eligibility criteria. The performance of the Best Available model was obtained from the ENERGY STAR list of qualified products.

The annual energy use was calculated using ASTM F1361-07 and includes the preheat, active, and idle energy used to cook 100 pounds of food per day. The assumed rate for electricity is $0.09 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), the average at Federal facilities throughout the United States. Lifetime Energy Cost is the sum of the discounted values of Annual Energy Cost with an average commercial electric fryer life of 8 years. Future electricity price trends and a 3% discount rate are based on Federal guidelines (NISTIR 85-3273-26) and are from the Annual Supplement to NIST Handbook 135 and NBS Special Publication 709, "Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis - 2011".

2 Based on the following assumptions: Assumes a large vat gas fryer is used an average of 12 hours per day, 365 days per year; which is typical for dining halls on military bases that serve three meals per day. The performance of the Standard Model represents what is commonly used in commercial kitchens, while that of the Required Model meets the ENERGY STAR eligibility criteria. The performance of the Best Available model was obtained from the ENERGY STAR list of qualified products.

The Annual Energy Use was calculated using ASTM F2144-09 and includes the preheat, active, and idle energy used to cook 150 pounds of food per day. The assumed rate for natural gas is $0.90 per therm, the average at Federal facilities throughout the United States. Lifetime Energy Cost is the sum of the discounted values of Annual Energy Cost with an average commercial gas fryer life of 12 years. Future electricity price trends and a 3% discount rate are based on Federal guidelines (NISTIR 85-3273-26) and are from the Annual Supplement to NIST Handbook 135 and NBS Special Publication 709, "Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis - 2011".