Small Town Cafe, Big Impact: Portage Cafe’s Green…

Energy Efficiency Partners

Nestled in downtown Portage, Wisconsin, Portage Cafe embodies the essence of a small-town establishment where you feel at home, connect with the community, and enjoy quality food.

Portage Cafe partnered with Focus on Energy to assess and improve the efficiency of this long-standing business.

Cafe owner Tammy Medina worked closely with Focus on Energy during the assessment to identify pain points and determine which upgrades would make the biggest impact.
The lighting and HVAC were deemed the highest priority, as they encompassed the largest portion of Portage Cafe’s energy bill.
After going through the each of the kitchen appliances, it was discovered the dishwasher and refrigerator would make the greatest impact on the energy efficiency and quality of service.

Energy Efficiency Upgrades

LIGHTING HVAC KITCHEN APPLIANCES

Pictured here, the lighting upgrades improved the aesthetics of the cafe by providing consistent lighting in the dining area and increasing brightness in the kitchen.

As a result, Portage Cafe has enhanced their welcoming atmosphere while becoming more energy efficient. The upgrades to lighting, HVAC, and kitchen appliances enhance customer comfort and make work better for employees, all while reducing costs and providing an energy savings of approximately $1,500 per year.

"We’re thrilled with the recent upgrades! They help us serve our customers better and make our cafe more eco-friendly. It’s an honor to continue the legacy of Portage Cafe, making it more energy efficient and sustainable while preserving its cherished tradition."

Tammy Medina, Owner

Related Blogs

Save More With an Energy Advisor

When you’ve got unusually high energy bills, don’t sweat. Focus on Energy has Energy Advisors whose sole focus is finding ways to reduce the amount of energy your property consumes — and save you money in the process.

Ahorre dinero y expanda su negocio con Focus on Energy

Dirigir un restaurante no es tarea fácil. Cada detalle importa; desde la gestión del personal hasta la creación de comidas deliciosas y la comodidad de los clientes mientras cenan. Los restaurantes consumen entre cinco y siete veces más energía por metro cuadrado que otros edificios comerciales. La cantidad es hasta diez veces mayor para los restaurantes de servicio rápido de gran volumen. Había una manera de marcar una gran diferencia en sus resultados reduciendo los costos con pequeños cambios en la eficiencia energética.

Energy Efficiency Rebates for Affordable Housing Properties

FOCUS ON ENERGY® provides resources and incentives to help multifamily property owners reduce energy costs while also improving building comfort and tenant satisfaction. Energy-efficient building improvements are a smart move as they often result in a greater tenant occupancy rate, higher tenant comfort, and reduced maintenance costs.