The Min/Max interactive Dashboard is a new resource for museum collections and facilities staff who want to explore how changes to temperature and relative humidity (T/RH) conditions can reduce energy use and costs, while maintaining appropriate collections conditions. By testing different scenarios variable by geographical climate zone, building HVAC systems, square footage, and other factors, organizations can view the estimated impacts of broadened T/RH and support more informed, site-specific decision-making. Findings from the project's building energy model demonstrate that broader environmental parameters can reduce energy use by 11%–26% and associated costs within temperature ranges of approximately 61°F to 77°F and relative humidity between 40% and 60%, when managed within controlled fluctuation limits-this is appropriate for many collection object types.
This tool is part of the Min/Max project, a national research effort funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and led by Environment & Culture Partners (ECP) in partnership with New Buildings Institute (NBI) and A2 Efficiency. Through 2027, the project is combining building energy modeling, conservation science, and data from eight art museums in the U.S. to generate data-informed, practical guidance that helps the field reduce energy use and emissions while maintaining high standards of collections stewardship.
Learn more about the project: https://www.ecprs.org/capacity-building/min-max-the-relationship-between-energy-carbon-and-t/rh-parameters-in-collecting-institutions
Jump to the Dashboard: https://www.ecprs.org/capacity-building/min-max-the-relationship-between-energy-carbon-and-t/rh-parameters-in-collecting-institutions#dashboard
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Tiffani Emig
Deputy Director
American Institute for Conservation and Foundation for Advancement in Conservation
Washington DC
temig@culturalheritage.org
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