Photo courtesy of Altar Media
When Tristan and Keara James took over New Morning Bakery in 2012, they had a vision—to build on its legacy while bringing fresh ideas to the table. Over the years, their business thrived. In 2021, they reached an exciting milestone by purchasing a 100-year-old building in Dallas, Oregon, to open a second location. The journey wasn’t easy. With the pandemic in full swing and banks reluctant to lend, they took a leap of faith—investing their life savings and securing a silent partner to turn their dream into reality.
The historic building came with plenty of charm but also its fair share of challenges. Outdated equipment and inefficient systems meant significant upgrades were needed. But for Tristan and Keara, sustainability was non-negotiable. With Keara’s background in environmental science, they were committed to making energy-efficient choices. “Whenever we need to upgrade or replace equipment, we’re always looking for ways to make our processes more energy-efficient,” Tristan said.
Their first major project was converting the garage into a commercial kitchen. Still recovering from the financial strain of the pandemic, the couple turned to Energy Trust of Oregon to explore what energy-efficient upgrades were within their budget. Their first step? Replacing the outdated water heater.
The building’s existing unit – a residential-style electric water heater – wasn’t built to handle the demands of a busy commercial kitchen. With only 200-amp service available, they needed to free up electricity for essential refrigeration and bakery equipment. After learning about the benefits of condensing tank water heaters, Tristan researched available incentives on the Energy Trust website and took action.
“The new water heater is amazing,” said Tristan. “Even though the tank is smaller, it outperforms a traditional gas commercial water heater twice its size.”
With the water heater successfully upgraded, Tristan and Keara turned their attention to other kitchen appliances. Their next upgrade was a high-efficiency vent hood that not only ensures proper ventilation but also consumes less energy. “It’s very quiet,” Tristan shared. “Since it only runs when it senses the need to ventilate, there is a noticeable reduction in overall noise in the kitchen, creating a better work environment for our team.”
By working with Energy Trust, New Morning Bakery received $6,400 in cash incentives and will save nearly $1,200 annually on utility bills. These upgrades haven’t just improved energy efficiency – they’ve also made the bakery a more productive and sustainable environment. Looking ahead, Tristan and Keara are eager to explore additional opportunities with Energy Trust, including projects focused on HVAC and insulation. As Tristan puts it, “Programs like Energy Trust help small businesses become more sustainable and competitive in the market.”
Energy Trust provides businesses of all sizes with the tools and resources to reduce their environmental impact while cutting energy costs. Tristan’s advice for fellow business owners? “Reach out to Energy Trust early in the project process to make sure you don’t miss out on potential incentives or upgrades.”
Ready to start saving? Visit our cash incentives page to explore available upgrades or connect with our team at existingbuildings@energytrust.org to learn how we can help your business lower energy costs and operate more efficiently.