Vending machines are often used in office buildings to  provide employees with drinks.

Generally subdivided into cold and warm drinks machines  they are usually in operation throughout the whole year, running during 52 weeks on 7 days for 24 hours.

Check whether the vending machine is electronically programmable, so that the cooling can be turned off during the night, which, if possible, will save considerable energy.

If the machine is not programmable, a ballast unit may be a feasible solution, automatically turning off the power according to an adjustable programme, thus achieving significant energy savings (up to 60 %).

Re-usable cups are often used with vending machines for warm drinks. Recycling these cups saves valuable resources. Set up bins to collect used cups.

Install cold drinks machines at cool places - avoid direct exposure to sunlight which will unnecessarily increase the energy demand for cooling.

Discuss the desired temperature of the drinks with the users of the machine. Raising the cooling temperature in cold drinks machines or reducing the heating temperature in warm drinks machines by just one degree will yield considerable energy savings.

When purchasing a new vending machine pay attention to the power requirements for heating or cooling and give preference to energy saving equipment.