By: Valora Gutierrez
When Mike and Pam Barrett bought Harmony Bar in 2022 they took ownership of a Madison cultural institution. But it quickly became apparent that such a storied building was outdated and required significant improvements in order to function well. Energy efficiency was everything to Mike, who wanted to do the right thing for the environment and ensure his patrons were comfortable in the process. The associated benefits of eliminating drafts, excessive summer heat, and improving indoor air quality were all motivating factors for management.
In the early days of getting the building up to code, low-cost solutions like LED light bulbs were a no-brainer. But as with all things, quality mattered; in this case quality of light. Mike was determined to provide full-spectrum, high-color rendering index, quality lighting that didn't detract from the ambiance of the space. It cost a bit more than typical low-end LEDs, but he still has customers commenting about the improved environment in the bar & dining area.
Figuring out how to keep the bar basement cooler in the summer proved more challenging. As with most bars & restaurants, there are several compressors (for walk-in coolers) in the basement that dump off a lot of heat into the building. Ultimately, the heat rises into the bar and so the roof-top AC units have to work double overtime to overcome the excess heat. Mike is working with McCormick Refrigeration to capture that heat with a heat recovery tank. He gets three wins out of it: 1) free hot water for dishwashing 2) elimination of hot air dumping into the bar, meaning significantly less AC load 3) more efficient compressor operation given the pre-cooled refrigerant returning from the heat recovery tank.
The owner, Mike, considers the new, ENERGY STAR ceiling fans to be a game-changer in keeping the room temperature stable, while keeping customers comfortable. The old fans burned 40W each; the new, award-winning Aeratron fans use just 3W. The new fans' blades are shaped to move maximal volumes of air. The three new fans actually move more air than the nine old fans combined. In the summer, it keeps the cooled air well mixed (instead of settling at floor level and into the basement), while the air movement gives patrons a sense of cooling (meaning he can keep the AC two degrees higher, lessening the AC load). In the winter, the fans push down the hot air that collects at the ceiling, meaning less frequent furnace heating cycles.
ient AppliancesOne of the most significant upgrades undertaken was installing five new ENERGY STAR refrigerators/freezers and a new controller for the beer cooler. "Refrigerators are always running so high efficiency models have made a world of difference on our energy bills and energy usage at Harmony Bar," Mike explains.
Perhaps an unsung hero is the ENERGY STAR range. It is an induction model so it maintains soup temperatures more evenly. Mike mentions "Induction is much greener and it actually paid for itself within a year by cutting down on food waste -- we're not burning the bottom of our soups or stews anymore since we made the switch,". It's another retrofit in a long list, all of which seemingly have been replaced with the highest efficiency models on the market.
Comparing consumption before his ownership, he estimates that the combined efficiency measures have reduced the total energy load by more than 25%. It's just a guess but he swears you can "physically feel the difference when you sit at the bar." It isn't all thanks to shiny new equipment either; staff is trained to know when to open windows to cool Harmony Bar down on cool summer evenings. "We can use common sense & mother nature instead of solely relying on the mechanicals," Mike adds.
Mike and Pam Barrett are still piecing together a more holistic systems-based approach, but are proud of already going above and beyond what is required by building code. Most of what remains to be done is just a matter of finding funding and incentives, especially in regards to heat recovery. They're considering installing air-source heat pumps in order to achieve the maximum energy efficiency possible.
If you're feeling inspired by Harmony Bar's energy efficiency mission, consider getting an energy audit. A professional will be able to identify the biggest opportunities for saving on your utility bills and reducing your carbon footprint. With tax credits currently available through the Inflation Reduction Act, it makes sense for businesses to invest in solar or geothermal where possible. Energy efficiency upgrades can pay for themselves in the long run and often have lower maintenance costs, so be sure you're not paying more for energy intensive equipment.
Don't forget to stop by Harmony Bar to get a firsthand look at how the new ownership is stewarding the facility. "This is a community space so cutting down our greenhouse gas emissions to benefit our community just makes sense," Mike Barrett concludes.
