Restaurants

Proper insulation and air sealing help maintain consistent indoor temperatures year-round, reducing heating and cooling costs while improving comfort for employees and customers. Weatherization upgrades can also protect equipment and reduce maintenance costs, improving your restaurant’s performance.

Green Newton is a Community First Partner through the Mass Save program which offers no-cost, no-commitment Mass Save energy assessments for small businesses.

Mass Save offers incentives for insulation and air-sealing projects—whether your building is under 20,000 sq ft, between 20,000–100,000 sq ft, or over 100,000 sq ft. Each size category has dedicated rebates or custom incentives for wall, attic, roof, and air-leakage upgrade. You can learn more about this program here.

Upgrading to high-efficiency heat pumps can reduce your restaurant’s heating and cooling costs while providing year-round comfort for employees and customers. Heat pumps also improve indoor air quality, minimize noise, and help meet sustainability goals by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Green Newton is a Community First Partner through the Mass Save program, offering no-cost, no-commitment energy assessments for small businesses. These assessments identify opportunities to install high-efficiency heat pumps and building controls to optimize performance and comfort.

The Mass Save Commercial & Industrial Program provides custom incentives for heat pump and HVAC control upgrades, helping reduce energy loads and extend equipment lifespan. Projects may include building management systems, dual enthalpy economizer controls, or variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump systems—all with dedicated rebates and technical support. You can learn more about this program here.

Effective January 1, 2026, the incentive amount for air source heat pumps will be $2,000 per ton.

Installing solar panels can be a smart, cost-effective investment for businesses—reducing electricity costs, strengthening your brand’s sustainability image, and improving property value. In Massachusetts, commercial solar systems typically pay for themselves within 6–10 years and continue to generate clean, low-cost electricity for 20–30 years, significantly lowering operational expenses. A business that integrates solar not only saves money but also demonstrates climate leadership and resilience within the local community.

Solar panels perform best on roofs with strong sun exposure and minimal shading (ideally less than ten years old). Business owners can assess their building’s solar potential using Google’s Project Sunroof tool. Financial incentives are substantial: businesses can claim a 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for systems installed and operational by December 31, 2027, helping to dramatically reduce upfront costs. Some commercial and nonprofit properties may also qualify for the state’s SMART program, depending on eligibility and funding.

For business owners who prefer not to own the panels directly, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and leasing options allow third-party companies to install and maintain the system, while the business benefits from lower electricity rates without upfront expenses. The extended 30% commercial solar tax credit through December 31, 2027 makes these arrangements even more financially attractive.

Owners who install and retain ownership of their solar systems can also take advantage of SMART solar payments, which provide ongoing incentives for each kilowatt-hour of electricity generated, and net metering, which credits excess solar production to reduce electric bills. These credits can even be shared among multiple accounts in the same load zone, allowing businesses with several sites to offset their total energy costs.

Businesses who don’t have an appropriate roof for solar can switch to 100% renewable electricity through Newton Power Choice

In addition, businesses with solar or battery storage systems can participate in Mass Save’s Commercial ConnectedSolutions program, which provides payments for reducing electricity use during peak demand periods. This program allows your company to earn incentives while supporting a more stable and sustainable electric grid.

Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and building systems helps your restaurant cut operating costs, lower emissions, and create a more comfortable and productive environment. From refrigeration and cooking to lighting, water heating, and building controls, efficiency upgrades are a smart investment that pays off in savings and sustainability.

As a Community First Partner with Mass Save, Green Newton connects you to a no-cost, no-commitment energy assessment that identifies opportunities to replace outdated appliances and systems. Common recommendations include:

• Upgrading to ENERGY STAR®–certified appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, induction stoves, and heat pump dryers to reduce energy and water use.
• Installing LED lighting and advanced controls—like occupancy sensors, timers, and daylight harvesting—to significantly cut lighting costs.
• Adding pipe insulation and faucet aerators to prevent heat loss and reduce water use.
• Replacing inefficient water heaters with heat pump water heaters or other high-efficiency models that can lower energy consumption by up to 50%.

The Mass Save Commercial & Industrial Program provides prescriptive and custom incentives for a wide range of upgrades, including:

• Lighting and controls: Rebates for LED fixtures, networked lighting controls, and midstream discounts through participating distributors.
• HVAC and water heating: Incentives for high-efficiency water heaters, boilers, and heat pump systems, plus funding for pipe insulation and system optimization.
• Specialty and food service equipment: Rebates for efficient commercial kitchen appliances, laundry systems, compressed air, and motors.

Start with a no-cost site assessment to uncover opportunities and design an upgrade plan tailored to your business’s energy needs. Learn more at Mass Save for Businesses.

In addition, businesses can tap into the Specialty Equipment Program administered through Mass Save, which offers instant rebates and custom incentives for high-efficiency commercial equipment—such as food-service appliances, industrial refrigerators/freezers, and compressed-air systems—so you can replace specialty systems with minimal upfront cost and maximum savings.

Newton businesses have access to public and private financing for clean energy and modernization projects. Programs offer low-interest loans, rebates covering up to 100% of project costs depending on eligibility, and federal tax credits for electrification and energy efficiency upgrades.

Mass Save offers 3rd party financing options to help cover the upfront cost of energy upgrades identified during a business energy assessment. Eligible measures include lighting, HVAC, water heating, insulation, and other qualified energy-saving improvements. Businesses can borrow from $5,000 to $500,000 making it easier to implement upgrades without large capital outlays.

Commercial property owners can also explore Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing through MassDevelopment, which allows repayment through property taxes, and SBA 504 Green Loans for owner-occupied buildings. Combining these with available Mass Save rebates and federal tax incentives can significantly lower total project costs.

Give your food scraps a second life! By composting at your restaurants, cafe, bakery, or commercial kitchen, you can reduce landfill waste, lower disposal costs, and demonstrate a real commitment to sustainability.

Restaurants can divert up to 50% of their waste—starting in the kitchen and expanding to front-of-house as needed. Black Earth will help set up an easy-to-use system, train your staff, and provide clear signage to keep your operations running smoothly. They also have bin cleaning service partners to prevent rodents and maintain cleanliness.

You can compost more than you might think: coffee grounds and filters, napkins, paper towels, cooking oil and grease, as well as the usual fruits, veggies, bones, eggshells, and more.

• Support local soil health and regenerative agriculture.
• Enhance your brand as an eco-conscious business.
• Meet increasing customer expectations for sustainable practices.

Newton has implemented recycling ordinances to enhance sustainability and reduce waste. All properties are required to separate and recycle cardboard, as well as other recyclables including plastic, metal, glass containers, and mixed paper. Waste haulers permitted to collect trash must also provide recycling services unless the property owner can show that another permitted hauler is providing separate recycling collection.

Landlords can significantly reduce waste, save on disposal costs, and improve tenant satisfaction by optimizing recycling practices through RecyclingWorks Massachusetts. The program offers free technical assistance, guidance, and resources to help property owners audit waste streams, separate materials, and implement recycling, composting, and donation programs.

Key actions include source-separating recyclables such as cardboard, paper, bottles, electronics, and construction debris, and ensuring your hauler contracts cover efficient recycling and organics collection. Landlords should also follow state waste bans to remain compliant and avoid fines. Programs for food donation and composting allow excess food to be diverted from landfills, lowering disposal costs while benefiting the community. Using these tools can make buildings more sustainable, reduce operating expenses, and demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility for tenants.