It may be better for the planet to not have vending machines, but if they are to exist, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has just released new energy efficiency standards for refrigerated beverage vending machines.
Because vending machines use energy for cooling and lighting, DOE began looking into their energy use in 2006. DOE estimates that by 2042 the new standards will save energy amounting to as much energy consumed by more than 830,000 homes per year.
DOE conducted analyses in numerous areas including engineering, pricing, energy use and life-cycle payback as well as impacts for manufacturers, utilities and the environment. In addition to substantial energy savings, DOE expects the new standards to result in reductions of greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 2 million cars from the road per year.
