Think like a professional buyer: understanding
the Total Cost of Ownership
“Refrigeration is the most important thing in a commercial kitchen.”
— Galton Blackiston, Chef Proprietor, Morston Hall
Why TCO matters more than purchase price
When you're buying a new fridge or freezer, it’s tempting to choose based on price alone. But the real cost? It adds up over time - and fast.
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) includes:
- 60% running costs (energy bills)
- 20% maintenance & repairs
- 20% purchase price
If you only look at the initial cost, you could be missing out on tens of thousands in potential savings over your fridge’s lifetime.
Running costs add up – fast
Energy efficiency isn’t just a buzzword. It’s your bottom line.
Take the Norfolk Deli: by switching to an energy-efficient Foster fridge, they’re saving £3,000 a year on energy. That’s £30,000 over a decade - or as they say, “£3,000 more to spend on cheese!”
Top tips when buying equipment for your kitchen:
✅ Use EcoDesign labels to compare energy use
📥 Make sure you know what you’re looking for with our energy toolkit.
📋 Know your numbers - request an energy audit.
What affects TCO?
+stayclear Technology
Most chefs don’t think about the fridge’s condenser - until it fails. Our patented +stayclear condenser:
- reduces energy use
- reduces service and maintenance
- preserves food freshness
“It’s become so important that you get an energy efficient refrigeration system. The +stayclear condenser stops any potential blockages and keeps your fridge running.”
— Galton Blackiston
🎥 Watch: Why +stayclear is a game changer
Fit for a real chef’s kitchen
Not all fridges are designed for hot, busy kitchens.
If your kitchen runs at 30°C (as most do), make sure you choose a unit rated Climate Class 4 or higher - otherwise, you’re overpaying on your energy bills.
Durability that keeps you clear of expensive repair bills
Repairs and breakdowns make up 20% of TCO.
That’s why we use premium materials and expert manufacturing - so our fridges keep running for decades, not just a couple of years.
“Foster is the Rolls Royce standard of refrigeration.”
— Michael Caines, MBE, Chef Owner, Lympstone Manor
Prevent problems before they cost you
Planned maintenance can stop small issues from becoming costly disasters.
Unplanned downtime during service means:
- Wasted food (UK food waste = £3.2 billion/year)
- Staff distraction
- Health and safety risks
- Damaged reputation
Questions smart buyers ask
Before you buy, ask:
- Will this fridge maintain food safety, even under pressure?
- Is it built for high-performance commercial use?
- Is this the right fridge for my future growth strategy?
It pays to choose Foster
Since 1968, Foster has helped thousands of chefs, buyers and operators across the UK reduce their costs, from fine dining to school kitchens.
We don’t just manufacture refrigeration, we engineer long-term savings and performance.
