For more than 15 years, Helium Comedy Club has been filling Portland with laughter. Since opening in 2010, the family-owned business has welcomed nationally recognized comedians and local talent to its stage, creating a space where people can come together, laugh and connect.
“It’s a great city for comedy and exploring the west coast comedy scene,” says Brad Grossman, chief operations officer at Helium. “Our goal has always been to make people laugh and create spaces that work well for both talent and fans.”
While the club kept audiences entertained, the building was starting to show its age. Built in 1921, it had outdated insulation that leaked air and left the HVAC system overworked, making it difficult to keep up with the heat of a packed room. For years, the only solution was to pre-chill the space before shows, which was not ideal for energy bills or comfort.
To address the problem, Helium partnered with its property manager, Progressive Development Group, and worked with Energy Trust of Oregon to complete energy-efficient attic and wall insulation upgrades.
“Installing the insulation was a big win,” says Paul Niedergang of Progressive Development Group. “With incentives and support, the upgrades are saving us money each year while making the club more comfortable.”
Backed by $9,500 in cash incentives from Energy Trust, the upgrades are projected to save about $6,400 in energy costs annually. Since installation, indoor temperatures have stabilized and the HVAC system now runs more efficiently.
For Progressive Development Group, the work was about more than numbers. Niedergang sees property management as stewardship and caring for the building through efficiency upgrades mattered as much as the financial return. That’s why, as systems age out, he plans to replace them with higher-efficiency equipment to keep the building supporting both sustainability and comedy.
“You’d be crazy not to take advantage of programs like Energy Trust. It makes it possible to walk your talk when it comes to values. Having Energy Trust as a partner on this project really made a difference.”
– Paul Niedergang of Progressive Development Group
Helium continues to thrive, recently expanding within the building by opening the Neon Room to showcase up-and-coming comedians. At its heart, the club is about connection, joy and keeping Portland laughing. Thanks to energy-efficient upgrades, the building is more comfortable than ever, so audiences can focus on what they came for: the jokes.
To learn how you can cut costs and improve comfort with energy-efficient upgrades, visit www.energytrust.org/commercial/existing-buildings or email existingbuildings@energytrust.org to get started.