News

REFRIGERATED POP VENDING MACHINES SAVING ENERGY (03/06/2007)

No watt is too little to conserve when it comes to the energy saving efforts of the Energy Conservation and Outreach Program.  Within the last year, over 130 refrigerated pop vending machines in general fund buildings across campus have had an occupancy sensor device installed that powers down the machine and turns the face light off after 15 minutes of inactivity.  This patented technology, called “VendingMiser” was installed following a pilot test program initiated by the ECO program to gauge the reduction in energy consumption.  The results of the pilot test found an average annual energy cost savings of $55 per machine - and no change in beverage temperature!

What’s doubly remarkable about this energy conservation effort is that many of the refrigerated pop vending machines provided by the vendor AVI Food Systems on the U-M campus are “Energy Star” qualified.  According to the U.S. EPA, “Energy Star qualified vending machines incorporate high efficiency components such as compressors, fan motors, and lighting systems that use 40% less energy than conventional models.”  So next time you’re near a pop vending machine and it “pops” on, don’t be startled, it was just conserving energy while waiting for you.