Energy Audit of the Wilson Presidential Library and Museum
Channel: JMU ISAT
Date: 2017-07-02

Full Title: Energy Audit of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, Virginia
Advised by: Mr. Paul Goodall
Abstract: The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, Virginia is one of the pillars of the Staunton community, providing history and education to city residents and visitors. The staff at Woodrow Wilson Museum felt strongly about reducing the museum’s energy usage, utility expenses, and impact on the environment, while also developing material for community outreach and education. The staff reached out to James Madison University to inquire about students who may be interested in working with the museum to reach these goals. The JMU Woodrow Wilson Capstone team jumped on the idea and launched a project to tackle the museum’s goals. The goals of this project were to (i) perform an energy audit of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, VA, (ii) produce a report with the analyzed energy usage of all systems and recommendations on ways to increase the system’s energy efficiency, (iii) implement these changes, as feasible, and (iv) relay these results to the community through means such as education programs. The Woodrow Wilson Capstone Team analyzed the lighting, HVAC, plug load, building envelope, and water systems at the museum complex using a range of methodologies and technologies that were suitable to each of the five buildings. The information that the Woodrow Wilson Capstone Team was able to collect served as a way to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the systems at the museum complex and helped the team conduct a number of procedures, such as cost-benefit analysis, which led to appropriate recommendations for each system. The Woodrow Wilson Capstone Team hopes that the recommendations will ultimately improve the features in the museum, as well as properly demonstrate how improvements can be made to any residential or commercial building.