How to Save $100 a Year on a Vending Machine

Vending machines that chill foods and beverages can cost a business nearly $250 each per year on energy costs. A new program is helping Minnesota businesses and other organizations cut those costs in half.

Minnesota’s Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), in collaboration with Energy Smart and EnergyMisers LLC, just unveiled a new campaign aiming to place 200 VendingMiser sensors on cold-drink vending machines in the state. The VendingMiser Bulk-Buy Program will inform businesses, schools and local governments of the energy- and money-saving benefits of installing these devices and help them learn about rebates they might be eligible for installing one. The price for VendingMisers will also likely be discounted, since CERTs is buying them in bulk.

Any business or organization in Minnesota is eligible to participate in the new program, which runs through May 1.

VendingMisers reduce the power consumption of vending machines by using a small infrared sensor to detect when the area surrounding the vending machine is unoccupied. It powers down the machine when then there’s nobody around and then automatically repowers it when it senses someone nearby.

VendingMisers typically cost $179 each, but CERTs expects to get a bulk rate to reduce the cost for participating organizations to $164. Moreover, businesses that purchase VendingMisers can expect a payback time of less than 1.5 years. Here’s how: The sensors are estimated to reduce a cold-drink vending machine’s cooling needs by about 46%, saving about $100 annually on electric energy costs. What’s more, many utility companies provide rebates for installing VendingMisers that generally range from $50 to $75. (Read a list of Minnesota utilities offering VendingMiser rebates and the rebate amounts.)

VendingMiser sensors will also reduce the maintenance costs and extend the life of vending machines by significantly reducing the number of compressor cycles that are run.

If you’re interested in participating in the VendingMiser program or want to know if your utility offers a rebate, contact Energy Smart at (651)292-3652 or info@mnenergysmart.com.