Energy Efficient Lighting in Historic Buildings

Cheryl Rezabek, Wisconsin Division of State Facilities
Jim Mapp and Barbara Smith, Wisconsin Division of Energy Services
Jim Cavallo, Kouba-Cavallo Associates
ABSTRACT

Historic buildings provide for visitors a rendering of the past that emphasizes the beautiful an

d the grand and reinforces a sense of pride of place. Historic buildings

can leverage

these positive associations to effectively demonstrate energy efficiency

technologies. This paper

reports on the incorporation of modern, energy efficient lighting into the      Wisconsin

State

Capitol, the Orpheum Theater (a historic movie theatre), the University of

Wisconsin Memorial

Student Union, and the Governor’s Executive Residence. These historic buildings serve as highly

visible role models showing how much energy efficient lighting can be incorporated into sensitive public showcases. Technologies used include CFL, cold cathode CFL, and high color

temperature lighting. There is a review of barriers to implementation that are prominent in historic buildings, such as color rendition, historical accuracy, iring limitations, and aesthetic non-btrusiveness. Approaches used to vercome these barriers will be outlined. Methods of

demonstration are described, including public tours and displays and other methods. Results support the thesis that energy efficient lighting improvements were feasible, aestheticallyacceptable, and reduced costs for both maintenance and energy savings.