University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
OP-T2-16: Vending Machine Sensors

All vending machines are Energy Star rated or have energy misers installed on them.

Rebecca M. Duff Senior Manager ICF International Energy, Environment & Transportation I support the ENERGY STAR Labeled Products program and your inquiry to the ENERGY STAR Hotline (below) was forwarded to me with the hope that I could provide a response. I assisted EPA in developing the current ENERGY STAR specification for this equipment and have quite a bit of knowledge regarding the technologies and industry. If a vending machine is Energy Star rated, is it still advantageous to install an energy miser on it? We've been told that the ES rated machines accomplish the same as a miser. In regards to your question, each ENERGY STAR qualified machine is required to come with the capability to be programmed to save energy (i.e., must include software that can be programmed on-site to meet the individual needs of the customer). From my knowledge this is similar to a timer where if the building is closed from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. then the machine goes into a low power mode (lights off and/or compressor reduced). Machine manufacturers perhaps have gotten more savvy with their designs, incorporating occupancy sensors or even the ability to reduce energy consumption during operating hours using an algorithm that monitors sales trends (no sales for extended period of time during the day, the machine will go into low power during that time each day). I assume you are speaking of the USA Technologies Vendmiser, of which I know of two options: occupancy sensor (external) and a monitoring system (internal) that uses an algorithm that monitors sales trends (similar to that above). Again, ENERGY STAR machines are required to come with the capability to be programmed to go into low power mode so I would explore that option during periods of downtime (no sales). But perhaps there is an opportunity to also get some savings during operating hours through a miser. More information would need to be provided to truly understand the opportunity. If you have some more specifics I would be happy to reach out to the machine manufacturer and USA tech, if needed.