Energy is one of the largest operating costs for many cafés and coffee shops. Espresso machines, refrigeration units, lighting, heating, air conditioning and cooking equipment all place continuous demand on electricity throughout the day. Gas may also be used for heating, hot water and food preparation.
There is no single answer to how much energy a café uses per month. Consumption depends on the size of the premises, operating hours, menu, equipment and number of customers served.
A small takeaway coffee shop will usually use less energy than a large café with extensive seating, commercial cooking equipment and long opening hours. Seasonal demand also matters. Heating requirements rise during colder months, while air conditioning will increase electricity consumption in summer.
Understanding monthly energy usage helps café owners identify where costs are coming from. It also provides more accurate information when comparing business electricity and gas contracts.
In this guide, Business Utility Hub explains how much energy coffee shops may use, what affects consumption and how better energy efficiency and procurement will reduce long-term costs.
How much electricity does a café use per month?
There is no single monthly electricity figure that applies to every café. However, general UK business energy benchmarks provide a useful starting point.
A small business using between 15,000 and 25,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year would consume roughly 1,250 to 2,080 kWh per month. A larger or more energy-intensive café could fall within the medium-business range of 25,000 to 50,000 kWh per year, equivalent to approximately 2,080 to 4,170 kWh per month.
These figures should be treated as broad estimates. A café’s actual consumption will vary based on:
- The size of the premises.
- Daily operating hours.
- The number of customers served.
- The type and quantity of equipment.
- Heating and cooling requirements.
- Whether food is prepared on site.
- The efficiency of appliances.
- Seasonal changes in demand.
Coffee shops with long opening hours, extensive seating or on-site food preparation will generally use more electricity. Espresso machines, display fridges, cooking equipment and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems may remain in use throughout trading periods.
Annual energy usage is usually more useful than looking at one isolated month. Consumption may rise during winter because of heating and hot water demand, while electricity usage can increase in summer when air conditioning is running.
Reviewing a full year of electricity and gas data gives suppliers a clearer picture of how the café operates. This can support more accurate quotations when comparing business energy contracts.
What affects a café’s monthly energy consumption?
Several factors influence how much energy coffee shops use.
Operating hours
Longer operating hours usually result in higher energy consumption. Coffee machines, refrigeration units, lighting and HVAC systems may operate from early morning until late afternoon or evening. Preparation and cleaning also extends the period during which equipment is running beyond customer-facing hours.
Menu offerings
A café serving mainly drinks and cold food may use less energy than a business preparing cooked breakfasts, lunches or baked products. Cooking equipment such as ovens, grills, microwaves, panini presses and induction hobs add substantially to electricity consumption. A larger menu may also increase refrigeration and hot water demand.
Customer numbers and seating
A busy coffee shop with a large seating area will usually require more energy for heating, lighting, ventilation and air conditioning. Higher customer volumes may also lead to greater use of espresso machines, dishwashers and food preparation equipment throughout the day.
Building condition
The age and condition of the business premises will affect heating and cooling demand. Poor insulation, draughts and inefficient doors or windows increase heat loss during winter. In summer, the same building may require more energy for air conditioning.
Equipment efficiency
Older appliances often use more energy than modern energy-efficient models. The condition of refrigeration units, coffee machines and cooking equipment also matters. Poor maintenance can increase electricity consumption while reducing performance. Regular maintenance helps equipment operate efficiently and may reduce unnecessary energy use.
What uses the most electricity in a café?
The largest electricity users vary between coffee shops. However, espresso machines, refrigeration, cooking equipment and HVAC systems are usually responsible for a significant share of demand.
Espresso machines and coffee machines
Espresso machines are central to most coffee shops and often operate for the entire trading day.
Electricity is used to:
- Heat water.
- Maintain boiler temperature.
- Produce steam.
- Keep cups and equipment warm.
- Reheat water after busy service periods.
Café owners can reduce energy consumption by:
- Servicing espresso machines regularly.
- Descaling equipment.
- Using standby settings where appropriate.
- Avoiding unnecessary warm-up periods.
- Replacing ageing machines with energy-efficient models when the business case supports it.
Refrigeration units
Refrigeration can account for a substantial share of a café’s electricity usage. Display fridges, under-counter units, freezers and milk storage may run continuously, even when the café is closed.
Consumption can increase when:
- Door seals are damaged.
- Condenser coils are dirty.
- Temperatures are set lower than required.
- Fridge doors are opened frequently.
- Equipment is poorly ventilated.
- Units are overdue for maintenance or defrosting.
Regular maintenance can help refrigeration units use less energy while protecting food quality and safety.
Cooking equipment
Cafés with food preparation facilities may use electricity for:
- Ovens.
- Grills.
- Microwaves.
- Panini presses.
- Induction hobs.
- Toasters.
- Extraction systems.
Cooking equipment can draw a considerable amount of electricity during busy periods. Its impact will depend on the menu, service volume and how long each appliance remains switched on. Reviewing whether equipment is correctly sized and used only when needed can help reduce consumption without affecting service.
Heating, lighting and HVAC systems
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can have a noticeable effect on monthly energy costs. HVAC systems may run for long periods to maintain a comfortable environment for customers and staff. Demand increases where doors are frequently opened or where heat from cooking and coffee equipment raises the indoor temperature.
Lighting also contributes to electricity usage, particularly in cafés with long opening hours or limited natural light.
Practical improvements include:
- Installing LED lighting.
- Using lighting controls.
- Making better use of natural light.
- Servicing HVAC systems.
- Reviewing air conditioning settings.
- Reducing heat loss through doors and windows.
Dishwashers and hot water
Dishwashers and water heating will add significantly to monthly consumption.
Hot water is needed for:
- Washing cups, plates and utensils.
- Cleaning food preparation areas.
- Handwashing.
- Maintaining hygiene standards.
- Supporting kitchen and service operations.
Energy usage may increase when dishwashers are run with partial loads, water temperatures are set higher than necessary or equipment is poorly maintained.
Coffee shops can reduce demand by:
- Running dishwashers with full loads where practical.
- Maintaining seals, filters and heating elements.
- Repairing leaking taps promptly.
- Insulating hot water pipes.
- Reviewing water temperature settings.
- Replacing older equipment with energy-efficient appliances where appropriate.
How can cafés reduce energy consumption?
Energy-saving strategies should focus on the equipment and processes responsible for the highest demand. Reducing consumption does not require every appliance to be replaced at once. Regular maintenance, better controls and clearer shutdown procedures can all help lower monthly energy usage.
Maintain coffee equipment
Useful actions include:
- Descale equipment at recommended intervals.
- Check seals and heating elements.
- Use energy-saving or standby settings where suitable.
- Avoid switching machines on earlier than required.
- Shut equipment down properly after trading.
- Review whether machine capacity matches customer demand.
Improve refrigeration efficiency
Coffee shop owners should:
- Clean condenser coils.
- Check door seals.
- Keep vents clear.
- Defrost units when required.
- Avoid setting temperatures lower than necessary.
- Position equipment away from heat sources.
- Replace inefficient or ageing units where practical.
Upgrade lighting
Practical improvements include:
- Replace traditional light bulbs with LED lighting.
- Install lighting controls.
- Use occupancy sensors in storerooms and staff areas.
- Use task lighting where full-area lighting is unnecessary.
- Make better use of natural light.
- Turn lights off outside operating hours.
Review heating and air conditioning
Energy-saving actions include:
- Service heating and air conditioning equipment.
- Clean or replace filters.
- Set realistic temperature ranges.
- Keep doors and windows closed when air conditioning is operating.
- Reduce heat loss through draughts and poor insulation.
- Adjust settings when customer numbers are lower.
- Avoid heating and cooling the same area at the same time.
Switch off equipment outside trading hours
A clear shutdown process should cover:
- Coffee machines.
- Cooking equipment.
- Display lighting.
- Extraction systems.
- Point-of-sale equipment.
- Heating and air conditioning.
- Staff and storage-area lighting.
Equipment required for food safety, including refrigeration, should remain operational where necessary.
Monitor your café’s energy usage
Smart meters and half-hourly data can help café owners understand when energy is being used.
Useful information includes:
- Overnight electricity consumption.
- Energy use before opening.
- Peak demand during service.
- Seasonal changes.
- Changes after new equipment is installed.
- Differences between weekdays and weekends.
Monitoring monthly usage can reveal whether equipment is operating outside trading hours or whether a recent change has increased demand.
It also supports better procurement. Suppliers can provide more suitable quotations when they have an accurate view of annual consumption and operating patterns.
What affects a café’s monthly energy bill?
A café’s monthly bill depends on both consumption and contract terms.
The main cost components include:
- Electricity and gas usage.
- The unit rate.
- Daily standing charges.
- VAT and applicable levies.
- Metering and network charges.
- Contract length.
- Tariff type.
- Seasonal demand.
- Wholesale prices when the contract was agreed.
Two coffee shops with similar energy consumption can still have different bills if they are on different business energy contracts. One café may have a lower unit rate but a higher standing charge. Another may be paying deemed or out-of-contract rates after its previous agreement ended.
This is why café owners should review both usage and tariff terms when trying to reduce business energy costs.
Why your energy contract matters
Reducing energy consumption can lower operating costs, but the benefit may be limited if the café remains on an unsuitable tariff.
A suitable business energy contract should reflect:
- Annual electricity and gas usage.
- Opening hours.
- Seasonal demand.
- Meter type.
- Current equipment.
- Planned growth.
- Appetite for fixed or changing prices.
Coffee shops should not focus only on the unit rate. Standing charges, contract length, supplier service and renewal clauses can also affect the total amount paid.
When should cafés compare business energy suppliers?
Cafés should ideally compare suppliers before the current contract ends. Starting early gives the business time to review available options rather than relying only on its existing supplier’s renewal offer.
It is also worth comparing suppliers after:
- Increasing operating hours.
- Expanding the seating area.
- Installing new espresso machines.
- Adding cooking equipment.
- Increasing refrigeration capacity.
- Changing menu offerings.
- Opening another site.
- Moving into new business premises.
- Reducing consumption through efficiency improvements.
Businesses should also act if they are already paying deemed or out-of-contract rates. These tariffs are often more expensive than negotiated business energy contracts.
There is no single best supplier for every café. The most suitable option will depend on energy usage, contract requirements, meter type and current market conditions.
How Business Utility Hub helps cafés reduce energy costs
Business Utility Hub helps small independent cafés and coffee shops and large multi-site operators manage energy costs through expert procurement and transparent supplier comparison.
Before recommending a contract, we review how your business uses electricity and gas, your current tariff and any recent changes that may have affected monthly consumption. This helps your next business energy contract reflect how your café operates today.
Our service includes:
- Daily monitoring of business energy prices.
- Reviewing annual usage before comparing quotes.
- Comparing trusted UK business energy suppliers.
- Reviewing electricity and gas contracts.
- Support before contract renewal.
- Assistance after contract expiry.
- Help for cafés paying deemed or out-of-contract rates.
- Transparent supplier comparison.
- Dedicated account management.
- Full switching management.
- No obligation to switch.
- No upfront cost.
- Commission disclosure on request.
Our aim is to help coffee shop owners save money, reduce administration and secure an energy contract suited to their current usage.
Learn more about the commonly asked questions relating to business energy comparison.
Reduce your café’s energy costs
Business Utility Hub helps café owners review both sides of the picture. We’ll compare your current electricity and gas contract, check whether your tariff still reflects how your business operates and identify suitable options from a trusted network of UK business energy suppliers.
