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Introducing more energy efficient machines often requires an additional upfront investment for a vending operator. Some operators have found that this investment is worth making because the savings to the location improve the operator/client relationship.

In many cases, operators have found that offering energy efficient machines helps win business from energy conscious accounts. Environmental awareness is rising among clients.

In some situations, utility companies subsidize the installation of energy saving devices. Automatic Merchandiser has reported numerous instances where utilities and utility consortiums subsidize installation of USA Technologies’ EnergyMiser.

The reason an operator may not be overly encouraged to investigate energy efficiency is that the host location typically pays for the electricity consumed by the equipment. The operator does not pay for the electricity and therefore typically does not have an incentive to seek the most energy efficient equipment.

In cases where the location receives a commission, however, the client may be willing to accept a lower
commission if energy costs are reduced due to
lower usage.

Despite the fact it may be costly or risky to attempt to renegotiate a site contract, the incentive to purchase more energy efficient machines may be facilitated through such negotiations. It is for this reason there is a growing market for energy-efficient machines as environmentally-conscious vending companies push to install more such machines. Additionally, a vending operator may become interested in sharing some or all of the energy costs, depending on his contract percentage share with the site client.

Should there be a provision in a vending contract that delineates responsibility for energy costs? Should there be a split incentive for machine owners and site clients to strive for energy efficiency?