Commercial High-Efficiency Foodservice (CHEF) Program

Commercial kitchen ventilation systems filter out smoke and effluent from kitchen spaces. Traditional systems operate at the maximum designed speed/volume or manual control over two speeds throughout the kitchen’s operating hours. In contrast, Demand Control Kitchen Ventilation (DCKV) provides automated control over the speed of fans on overhead commercial kitchen ventilation systems. Based on cooking activity, DCKV systems will detect when ventilation is needed and automatically increase or decrease the speed of an exhaust fan. They also respond to temperature, optical, or infrared (IR) sensors that monitor cooking activity.

Various control strategies may be implemented such as:

• Time-of-day scheduling
• Sensors including exhaust temperature
• Cook surface temperature
• Smoke, or steam sensors
• Direct communication from cooking equipment to the DCV processor

Kitchen ventilation systems with and without dedicated makeup air units are eligible for this incentive. The following documentation is required to verify eligibility:

• Invoice for the controls purchased
• Specifications from installer of the site exhaust fans and hood controls

Estimated energy and cost savings for qualified ENERGY STAR® convection ovens*

$1,100 Lifetime Savings

Estimated energy and cost savings for qualified ENERGY STAR® combination ovens*

$6,800 Lifetime Savings

Estimated energy and cost savings for qualified ENERGY STAR® dishwashers*

$15,000 Lifetime Savings

Estimated energy and cost savings for qualified ENERGY STAR® fryers*

Up to $1,100 - $1,600 Lifetime Savings

Estimated energy and cost savings for qualified ENERGY STAR® steamers*

$11,000 - $11,900 Lifetime Savings

Estimated energy and cost savings for qualified ENERGY STAR® freezers*

Up to $1,700 - $3,300 Lifetime Savings

Estimated energy and cost savings for qualified ENERGY STAR® refrigerators*

Up to $560 - $700 Lifetime Savings

Estimated energy and cost savings for qualified ENERGY STAR® hot food holding cabinets*

$2,800 Lifetime Savings

Estimated energy and cost savings for qualified ENERGY STAR® ice makers*

Up to $800 - $1,000 Lifetime Savings

Estimated energy and cost savings for qualified ENERGY STAR® griddles*

Up to $1,500 Lifetime Savings

Zero Energy, DOE compliant, doors are designed to provide advanced thermal protection against condensation, eliminating the need for anti-sweat heaters. High performance designs can include heat reflective coatings on glass, non-metallic spacers and frames, and non-heated low E Glass with gas between panes. Please contact us to see if your doors qualify.

Required documentation/criteria needed are as follows:

• Doors do not have Anti-Sweat Heaters
• Refrigeration Temperature Range
• Brand and model #
• Invoice