Pup’s Irish Pub has a 40+ year history of creating a sense of place and camaraderie in New London. When the pub’s owner passed away, his sons inherited the business and were determined to continue their father’s legacy. However, they didn’t know where to begin when it came to replacing the pub’s aging equipment. FOCUS ON ENERGY® stepped up to offer clear guidance and make sure the new owners got the energy-efficient upgrades they needed to keep the pub thriving.
When Michael "Pup" Loughrin Jr. opened his pub decades earlier, he viewed the bar and grill as a way to uplift community spirit. “Pup’s Irish Pub has sponsored local dart, horseshoe, softball, and volleyball teams, and our father played a key role in starting the town’s week-long St. Patrick's Day celebration,” says Pup’s son and now co-owner Colin Loughrin. “The pub honors our father’s vision of community pride and Focus on Energy is helping us keep that alive.”
Where to Take Action
Upgrading the pub began with an energy assessment. Colin worked with Focus on Energy, in partnership with New London Utilities and WPPI Energy, to identify the most effective upgrades.
The building’s aging heating system was a concern. As furnaces age, their parts become more prone to failure and their efficiency declines. If it wasn’t replaced, the sons could face increased maintenance and repair costs and risk unexpected breakdowns during Wisconsin’s harsh winters.
Outside, the pub parking lot and volleyball court lighting relied on older, energy-intensive lighting fixtures. These lights require long warm-up times, become dimmer over time, and individual bulbs burn out as they age. Without an upgrade, the lower light levels reduced visibility and could impact safety. In addition, the business would continue to pay higher energy costs.
New Confidence
Local Focus on Energy Trade Ally contractors were familiar with the pub and excited to offer their services. They helped Colin understand the energy-efficient options available and how they could save the pub money while creating a better customer experience. Ultimately, this gave Colin confidence in his decisions.
For the HVAC upgrade, Greg Junak of Hoffman Heating and Cooling knew the owners wanted customers to be comfortable in every season. He replaced the aging furnace with an efficient two-speed furnace that is expected to last for 21 years. Junak also added a new high-efficiency air conditioner with an 18-year lifespan and a smart thermostat. The thermostat gives the owners more control over the systems, helping them achieve an even greater reduction in energy use and comfort when it matters most for pub goers and staff.
Jeremy Belile from BNH Lighting collaborated with Colin on a lighting arrangement for the parking lot and volleyball court. New exterior LED lighting provides higher-quality illumination for evening play on the volleyball court and enhanced security for pub customers in the parking lot. The system should deliver quality lighting and energy savings for 13 years.
Final Energy Savings
The lighting upgrades are anticipated to save nearly $830 per year. The HVAC project is expected to generate an additional $355 in annual savings, bringing the total savings to an estimated $1,185 per year!
The savings will help this multi-generational, family-owned business continue to serve the community while offering increased comfort and safety to customers.
“Pup’s Irish Pub is a beloved spot for many locals, and we’re grateful for the strong relationships we’ve built,” asserts Colin. “Now, we’ve built a new relationship with Focus on Energy that helped us make smart decisions to keep Pup’s an integral part of our community.”
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