Reduce Foodservice Utility and Maintenance Costs by Improving Water Quality

MINNETONKA, MN, April 05, 2011 (Press-News.org) The Link Between Water & Utility Costs

A foodservice location uses a significant amount of water, which can directly result in increased utility costs. Water bills and electricity bills are actually linked expenses. Water quality, specifically high levels of hardness and TDS, can cause inefficiencies in equipment that either heats or cools water.

This image shows the heating element inside a boiler-based steam oven. As little as a 1/4" of scale buildup can decrease energy efficiency by nearly 40%. Imagine a typical combi oven that costs $1500 a year in electricity: a 40% reduction in efficiency could mean up to $600 in wasted electricity annually, on one piece of equipment.

The Link Between Water & Maintenance Costs
Controlling maintenance costs is a major effort. Water not only affects utility bills, but it can also be the source of unnecessary maintenance. How often is a service company performing ice machine cleanings or descaling a piece of espresso or steam equipment? Controlling water quality can help optimize the number of service calls.

Equipment that heats or chills water can be the largest source of service calls, and this is often due to varying water quality. Ice machines, especially those that are high-volume, are particularly prone to scale buildup and water related problems. Steam and combi ovens are also very prone to equipment failure and maintenance from water quality issues. Great advancements in cooking technology over recent years have helped to solve these problems, however, some of these technologies, like boiler-less ovens, make good water quality even more vital. Ovens that use steam are especially susceptible, as any contaminant in water is left behind when the oven turns water to steam.

While a service company is vital to maintaining operation, controlling influent water quality may help reduce the number of reactive service calls. This can also help reduce the number of preventative maintenance checks.

Key Lessons
- Water quality can negatively impact operating cost.
- Without considering water quality's impact on operations, you may be paying unnecessary utility and maintenance costs.

To learn more about the business benefits of improving water quality, click at the following URL: http://pentair.nextcom.com/water_quality.

About Everpure
Everpure/Pentair Foodservice, a leading foodservice industry supplier for over 75 years, is a trusted provider of commercial water treatment solutions worldwide. Pentair markets Everpure-branded filtration products for foodservice, office coffee/water, vending, consumer, marine and aviation applications. The company is a division of Pentair, Inc. Its Water Group is a global leader in providing innovative products and systems for the movement, treatment, storage and enjoyment of water. With 2010 revenues of $3.0 billion, Pentair employs approximately 14,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit us at www.everpure.com.

Next Communications is a full service marketing communications firm specializing in print, online and search marketing. For further information, contact Dennis Gallaher at 952-934-8220 or dennis.g@nextcom.com or www.nextcom.com.