The Mark Twain House & Museum Has a Bright New Outlook

Small Business Energy Advantage Program Brings Modern Energy Technology to a Historic Landmark

Samuel L. Clemens, better known by his pen name, Mark Twain, remains to this day one of Hartford’s most celebrated citizens. The Victorian mansion where Twain raised his family from 1874 to 1891 is now a National Historic Landmark, offering daily tours and insights into the rich life and legacy of one of America’s most beloved writers, humorists and social commentators.

“Twain is an American icon and one of our country’s greatest writers, whose work is loved and revered to this day,” explains Mark Twain House & Museum Executive Director Jeffrey Nichols.

In recent years, the rising cost of energy had begun to take a toll on the Mark Twain House & Museum. As expenses for maintaining the facilities required more funding, there was less money for collection preservation, educational programs and exhibits. In 2007, in the interest of conservation, The Mark Twain House & Museum switched some of its lighting to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in the house, a step that required neither architectural changes nor a large layout of funds.

In 2008, a more far-reaching solution arrived, in the form of the Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program, run by CL&P. Reaching out to the museum, CL&P invited it to participate in its SBEA business solutions program, which is funded by customers through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund. Through SBEA, CL&P provides small business energy customers with the expertise and means to analyze and reduce their energy usage. CL&P-authorized contractors assess participating facilities to determine potential energy-saving actions, calculate their total expense and estimate energy cost savings. The contractor assessments are then reviewed by CL&P energy-efficiency experts to ensure real energy savings before any work begins.

The project posed a wide range of challenges, from the electrical systems of the old house, to the long operating hours and large open spaces of the Museum Center. CL&P’s SBEA program administrators facilitated a solution using solid state, light emitting diode (LED) technology. LED lighting has a 10- to 12-year life span, is energy efficient, and produces no ultraviolet ray emissions.

After an inventory of all light fixtures, lamps and space considerations, it was determined that retrofitting the existing lighting in the Museum Center and the Carriage House with LED lighting, and installing occupancy sensor controls in frequently unoccupied areas where lights were constantly on, would help the museum reach its energy-efficiency goals. LED lighting also resolved the issues caused by the museum’s use of fluorescent lamps, a common source of ultraviolet radiation, which put collection objects at risk of discoloration and fading.

Disruption to museum visitors was minimized during the installation process. However according to Mr. Nichols, most visitors who did see the work in progress were intrigued and impressed by the museum’s efforts to conserve energy. The work was completed on Feb. 18, 2009, without a single museum Mark Twain House and Museum operating hour lost or a visitor turned away. There had been no construction noise, dust or debris.

The results from the energy-efficient measures were immediately evident: warmer lighting in the Twain House, more reminiscent of its original gas lamps; in the Museum Center, better clarity and directional lighting in the display areas, particularly the gallery, and a reduction of heat output from old incandescent lamps. Most importantly to the Museum, its electric bill was cut in half.

“We expected that time would pass before we saw savings, but we’ve had dramatic savings,” said Nichols. “The efficiency has exceeded our expectations. In fact, we contacted the utility company several times after receiving the first few bills to make sure they were right. We couldn’t believe it. Now it’s pretty much a fixed bill, which helps us budget our money.” The Museum also has seen additional benefits, beyond better lighting. “Because of the reduction in heat from the lighting, the museum building is cooler and more comfortable for visitors,” said Nichols, “not to mention the lower air-conditioning costs.” More than 60,000 people visit the Mark Twain House & Museum each year to tour Twain’s Victorian home – a showcase of the period’s latest innovations, such as central heating, gas lighting, and hot and cold running water – and to view the Museum’s vast collection of Twain artifacts, including an archive of more than 6,000 documents and 5,280 photographic images. In addition to numerous school groups, there are walk-in visitors from across the country and around the world.

“Mark Twain was very interested in gadgets, progress, technology and inventions. This innovation continues his legacy and allows us to be better stewards of that legacy,” said Nichols. “It also shows the public that we are good stewards of the collection. More money is going toward preserving the collection instead of energy costs. It confirms our conviction to continue on our green path.”

“This project has also really helped our image,” Nichols continued. “It shows skeptics that we are trying to keep our expenses down. The best way this project will help us is the estimated annual cost savings of approximately $100,000. A portion of that can now be allocated to support programs and other necessary activities at the museum. For example, next year is the 125th anniversary of the publication of ‘Huckleberry Finn’ and more money can go toward that celebration.”

“We are obviously very pleased that this has happened. It can be hard to believe that a utility company actually wants to help you be more energy efficient, but that’s why these programs are out there. I’d encourage all small businesses to consider doing this. These days it’s about sustainability; saving money can be essential to survival.”