Two Newton small businesses have more in common than delicious flavors and happy customers. Cabot's Ice Cream & Restaurant and Blue Ribbon BBQ recently worked closely with Eversource to implement energy-efficient upgrades and lower their energy costs.

"Any small business can benefit from energy efficiency," said Eversource Energy Efficiency Spokesman Bill Stack. "But often, they don't have the in-house expertise, time or access to capital needed for improvements. Our small business program connects our customers to solutions for savings and makes it easier for them to better manage their energy." 

Cabot's Ice Cream & Restaurant, a family-friendly destination established in 1969, completed multiple upgrades to its lighting, refrigeration motors and controls, faucet aerators, and kitchen valves, as well as its exterior signage. As a result, they will save more than $7,000 a year in energy costs.

"The overall project created a more comfortable, welcoming environment for both customers and employees," said Cabot's owner Joe Prestejohn. "The LED lighting upgrades shine a better light on the food, which helps with the presentation of each meal and dessert, and also provides our kitchen staff with the lighting they need to consistently deliver the meals that have made us a local favorite for nearly 50 years."

Celebrating 22 years of "swine dining," Blue Ribbon BBQ also worked with Eversource to complete energy-efficient upgrades at its Newton, West Newton and Arlington locations, which included lighting and lighting control improvements, as well as adding new kitchen pre-rinse spray valves. The Newton and Arlington locations also upgraded controls to its heating, cooling and refrigeration systems. Collectively, Blue Ribbon BBQ is saving more than $11,000 in annual energy costs. 

"Prior to these upgrades, frost buildup in our Newton location's five walk-in units was a major problem," said Chef and General Manager Scott Gibitose. "Since installing the monitoring and control system, our units now reach and maintain their desired temperatures, eliminating frost and allowing each walk-in to run more efficiently."

Now, the Blue Ribbon BBQ staff is constantly updated on how their walk-in units are operating through a live tracking system that can be accessed anywhere, anytime, and temperature updates that are sent via email five times a day. The equipment helps to ensure food safety and quality, along with cutting down on food waste.

"Restaurants with long hours and constantly running equipment for cooking, refrigeration, and interior and exterior lighting can benefit from reviewing their efficiency options," added Stack. "Cabot's and Blue Ribbon BBQ qualified for significant Mass Save incentives, which helped offset the overall cost of the projects. The upgrades will deliver ongoing energy savings to each restaurant, essentially paying for the remainder of the project cost in less than a couple of years and delivering year-after-year savings into the future."

Collectively, Cabot's and Blue Ribbon BBQ are saving more than 94,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 1,900 therms of natural gas annually, resulting in 55 tons of CO₂reduction - the equivalent to taking approximately 12 cars off the road or powering 13 homes for a year.

The Mass Save small business program begins with a free, no-obligation energy assessment conducted by an Eversource-authorized contractor. Business owners then receive a comprehensive proposal of all possible energy efficiency opportunities, the complete costs and estimated energy savings, along with available incentives and financing options. Typical upgrade opportunities may include LED lighting, occupancy sensors, programmable thermostats, pipe and duct insulation, refrigeration controls and more.

For more information about Eversource's energy efficiency programs, rebates and incentives, or to schedule an energy assessment for your business, visit the Save Money & Energy section of Eversource.com or call 1-844-887-1400.

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