Chrysler Museum gets energy efficient in $24m renovation

The $24 million renovation and expansion of the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk is not only the most ambitious in its history, but its director says new energy efficiencies could carve as much as a third from its massive utility bill.

Director Bill Hennessey said the museum's antiquated heating and cooling system was replaced during its yearlong overhaul with modern, centrally controlled chillers and air handlers, and every one of its 3,000 incandescent light bulbs was switched out, half of them replaced with energy-saving LEDs. The upgrades could cut its annual $600,000 utility bill by as much as $200,000.

"It was part of our overall package and the museum's commitment to do the right thing for the environment and also for our operating budget," Hennessey said Monday.

The Chrysler plans to reopen Saturday with new exhibits and additional gallery space, its caf and catering kitchen relocated behind the museum store and a main entrance made accessible to those using wheelchairs or walkers.

Museum officials have said the main priority of their renovation was to add about 10,000 square feet of gallery space, but energy efficiency was another alluring benefit.

Valuable displays are demanding when it comes to climate control, preferring temperature and humidity at constant, moderate levels year-round.

"Works of art don't like change," Hennessey said.

Their new system is built to deliver a constant 70 degrees F and 50 percent relative humidity, which he calls a "good compromise" among various types of art.

The museum's big AC chillers in the attic were 35 years old, Hennessey said, but their smaller, modern replacements should deliver a 25 percent energy savings.

And when the rest of the museum's 3,000 light bulbs are finally replaced with LEDs, he said they hope for similar savings there.

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Chrysler Museum gets energy efficient in $24m renovation