How a Connecticut Theater Put Energy Efficiency in the Spotlight

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, Connecticut, has implemented a series of energy efficiency upgrades to reduce operating costs and environmental impact. Key projects include the replacement of an obsolete boiler with a high-efficiency steam system and the installation of LED lighting, new air handling units, and heat pumps. These initiatives were funded through a combination of C-PACE financing, state grants, utility rebates, and donations incentivized by the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program.

• In 2012, The Bushnell replaced a 40-year-old boiler, which was 42 percent efficient and lacked a backup system, with a gas-fired three-way steam system that is 92 percent efficient. This upgrade resulted in annual energy savings of $60,000, annual fuel consumption savings of 703,248 kBTU, and the avoidance of 37.2 metric tons of carbon emissions annually. The theater estimates total lifetime energy savings of $1.2 million from the new boilers.
• The $650,000 boiler replacement project was financed through a diversified funding package. This included a $384,016 loan via the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, administered by the Connecticut Green Bank, a $250,000 Clean Energy Business Solution grant from the State of Connecticut, and a $16,000 rebate from the utility provider Eversource.
• The Bushnell utilizes the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program (NAA) to fund energy efficiency projects through donations. The NAA provides businesses with a 100 percent tax credit on donations to nonprofits for energy efficiency conservation programs, which the theater uses to create a revolving fund for projects such as LED lighting installation, new air handling units, heat pumps, roof replacement, and added insulation.
• Energy expenses account for approximately 10 percent, or $400,000, of The Bushnell's $4 million annual building budget. The theater is currently exploring a $1 million project to replace its outdated water chiller system, which currently relies on the City of Hartford's municipal water chiller loop without a backup, with a heat pump system and a roof-based backup, potentially using C-PACE loans for financing.

APA

Yañez-Barnuevo, M. (2023). How a Connecticut Theater Put Energy Efficiency in the Spotlight. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/how-a-connecticut-theater-put-energy-efficiency-in-the-spotlight

Chicago

Yañez-Barnuevo, Miguel. How a Connecticut Theater Put Energy Efficiency in the Spotlight. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2023. https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/how-a-connecticut-theater-put-energy-efficiency-in-the-spotlight.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Yañez-Barnuevo |first1=Miguel |title=How a Connecticut Theater Put Energy Efficiency in the Spotlight |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=3 February 2023 |url=https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/how-a-connecticut-theater-put-energy-efficiency-in-the-spotlight |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{yaezbarnuevo2023how, author = {Yañez-Barnuevo, Miguel}, title = {{How a Connecticut Theater Put Energy Efficiency in the Spotlight}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2023}, month = feb, url = {https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/how-a-connecticut-theater-put-energy-efficiency-in-the-spotlight}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }