Bright lights at Paramount will save historic theatre $43,000 per year

Chandelier at Paramount after LED retrofit
Photo courtesy Seattle City Light

The Paramount Theater opened its Broadway season October 9, 2013 under new bright lights that will reduce the historic theater’s energy consumption enough to save $43,000 each year.

The $438,000 project replaced about 4,800 lights at the Paramount, including its massive chandeliers, with energy efficient LEDs, compact fluorescent lamps and T-8 tube lighting. Seattle City Light supported the project with $136,000 in energy efficiency incentives.

“When you consider the number of bulbs in this theatre and what it takes to simply keep them all in good working order, this project is just good dollars and sense,” Seattle Theater Group Executive Director Josh LaBelle said. “Part of being a good steward of these historic venues, also means being a good environmental citizen, and this lighting project helps us accomplish such in great measure.”

House lighting as well as stage lighting was replaced with dimmable lights. Workers built catwalks high above the theatre floor to access the lights in and near the ceiling. 

Lori Moen and Josh LaBelle of the Paramount

This is the second lighting upgrade City Light has helped the Paramount complete. In 2009, utility incentives supported a retrofit of the Paramount’s signature neon sign. In both projects, the upgrades were made while preserving the historical character of the theater.

“The Paramount Theater demonstrates how energy efficient lighting can meet the needs of the most demanding professionals and audience members, while lowering operating costs,” Conservation Resources Director Glenn Atwood said. “We are excited to partner with the Paramount in another act in our long-running conservation program, in which helping our customers use electricity more efficiently provides the first-choice energy resource for the future.”

City Light offers numerous incentives for businesses and homeowners to increase their energy efficiency. Learn more about them here.