Options mount for making machines energy efficient

Mike Ehrentreu, owner of Aldar Vending Inc., a 19-route operation in Hackensack, N.J., has found success with a product from a company based in Fairfield, N.J., Energy Innovative Products Inc. (EIP). EIP makes a kit that controls the amount of energy the compressor uses based on the environment. Ehrentreu likes the fact that it does not shut down the machine.

“It’s keeping the beverages cold and saving energy at the same time,” Ehrentreu said. “It doesn’t waste amps from the compressor.”

American Vending & Coffee Service in Randolph, N.J. has also been satisfied with EIP, noted Drew Warner, president. Warner initially used a device that shut down the machine, but became dissatisfied when there were complaints from customers. “They (customers) wanted to know where the savings was,” he said.

The cost savings he gets with EIP has allowed him to reduce the costs he was compensating customers for.

“It’s really allowed us to save, to educate our customers about ways to save money and reduce their energy costs,” Warner said. “It’s allowed us to stay ahead of our competition.”

EIP has a series of products, including a kit that makes a machine “tier 2” Energy Star certified. The products have a compressor motor controller which is installed in between the vending machine’s thermostat and the refrigeration compressor.

Scott Caputo, president of EIP, said the controller gives the ability to control the amount of energy the machine’s compressor consumes based on the environment. The system determines the amount of energy needed without affecting the temperature of the vend product.

The wattage drops from 172 watts to 40 watts based on need, without affecting the motion in the motor, Caputo said.

Caputo further noted that EIP will allow machines to meet the stricter 2012 standards. The company will exhibit at the NAMA OneShow with Vendors Exchange International Inc., which distributes EIP products nationwide.

Elstat Americas, based in Marietta, Ga., has demonstrated its technology to vending operators in the last year. The Elstat device learns the patterns of the environment in which the machine operates via an infrared motion detector. By learning about the environment, the device ensures that optimum operating temperatures are maintained when required.

Chris Mumford, the West Bloomfield, Mich. vending consultant, said the Elstat device typically saves a third of the energy cost. He noted that the device does not make a machine Energy Star compliant.

Chuck Ropke, vice president of corporate services for Columbus, Ohio-based Shaffer Distributing, which distributes Elstat nationwide, said the Elstat product meets many state requirements for energy savings. In Ohio, for example, the product meets the requirements of blind services contracts.

Elstat will be introducing a new product at this year’s NAMA OneShow, Ropke added.

Vending operators have more options to offer energy efficient machines. In confronting a customer base that has become more energy conscious, operators will find it pays to be up to speed on government energy regulations and the various products that address this rising customer concern.

For more information, contact:

Crane Merchandising Systems, 800-325-8811, www.cranems.com

Energy Information Products Inc., 973-244-0700, www.eipsave.com

Elstate Americas, 888-903-2463, www.elstatgroup.com

Energy Star, 888-782-7937, www.energystar.gov

USA Technologies Inc., 800-633-0340, www.usatech.com

Vendors Exchange International Inc., 800-321-2311, www.veii.com