Restaurant chain, developer recognized for energy savings
Who knew pachos, those magically delicious lattice-style fries topped with melted cheese and served with secret-recipe Emerald Isle dipping sauce, would lead to an energy-efficiency award?
But that’s exactly what the most popular item on the menu of Kelly O’Bryan’s restaurants and Carlos O’Bryan’s pubs has done.
The chain, which has eateries in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops, Nanaimo, New Westminster and Vancouver, picked up a FortisBC Efficiency in Action Award in the foodservice category on Tuesday at an event at Kelowna’s Delta Grand hotel.
“Pachos (O’Bryan’s Irish take on Mexican nachos) are definitely our No. 1 seller,” said executive chef Scott Fraser.
“The fries need to be deep-fried, so our deep fryer is going 14 hours a day. We’ve switched to the most energy-efficient deep fryer there is and insulated it well and made sure the exhaust works efficiently. It all runs like a well-tuned car.”
In addition, all O’Bryan’s locations have switched to energy-saving LED lights and super-efficient Rational electric ovens, and all take-out containers, cutlery and straws are compostable.
FortisBC, the electric and natural gas utility that serves much of the province, hands out Efficiency in Action Awards annually to recognize businesses and institutions that are exceptional energy savers.
This year’s 10 winners in the Interior reduced natural gas use in 2017 by more than 12,000 gigajoules, which is the equivalent annual natural gas use of approximately 140 homes.
The winners reduced electricity use by about 6,700 megawatt hours, which is about what 600 homes use over a year.
“Together, this helps meet B.C.’s climate action goals, reduces costs in their operations and lessens the need for new utility infrastructure, which helps keep rates lower for all customers,” added FortisBC vice-president Dennis Swanson.
Alder Projects, the developer at Riesling Ridge subdivision in West Kelowna, won the Efficiency in Action Award in the single-family home project builder category.
“We just want to give our customers the best home possible at the best price,” said owner John Maloney. “Highly efficient furnaces, fireplaces, hot water tanks, clothes dryers and gas ranges are all part of that.”
FortisBC energy solutions manager Wade Benner helped Alder Projects pick appliances and technology.
“Alder’s homes are also built very air tight, which has a big impact on energy efficiency,” said Benner. The other winners are: — Central Okanagan Public Schools in the large commercial category
— Orchard Park mall in the medium commercial category
— Okanagan Centre for Innovation in the small commercial category
— Interfor Forestry’s Castlegar division in the industrial category
— Lithium One Homes of Prince George in the single-family home builder category
— Sendero Gate Townhomes of Penticton in the multi-family home project category
— Interior Health in the provincial agency category
— City of Castlegar in the municipal category.