How a Connecticut Theater Put Energy Efficiency in the Spotlight

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts implemented a series of energy efficiency projects, most notably replacing a 40-year-old boiler with a 92 percent efficient three-way steam system. This project was funded through a combination of a $250,000 state grant, a $16,000 utility rebate, and a $384,016 C-PACE loan. The theater also utilized the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program to attract donor funding for LED lighting, air handling units, heat pumps, and roof insulation. These measures have resulted in annual energy savings of $60,000 and an annual reduction of 37.2 metric tons of carbon emissions.

• The Bushnell replaced a 1974 boiler that was 42 percent efficient with a new gas-fired heater that is 92 percent efficient. The project cost $650,000 and was financed via a $250,000 Clean Energy Business Solution grant from the State of Connecticut, a $16,000 Eversource rebate, and a $384,016 C-PACE loan to be repaid over 20 years.
• The boiler replacement and associated pipe upgrades to consolidate theaters into one steam system are estimated to save $60,000 annually in energy costs, totaling $1.2 million over the equipment's lifetime, and avoid 37.2 metric tons of carbon emissions each year.
• The theater used the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program (NAA) to fund additional upgrades, including LED lighting, heat pumps, and roof insulation. The NAA provides businesses a 100 percent tax credit for donations to nonprofit energy efficiency programs, which The Bushnell used to create a revolving fund for conservation projects.
• 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 municipal water chiller system with a heat pump system and roof backup, potentially using C-PACE loans.

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} }