Assessing and predicting sustainability for maintaining silver collections

Sustainability data for materials and electric energy consumed vary with national location. Additionally, local climate can have a dramatic effect on the amount of energy needed to maintain cultural heritage environments. The first part of this research focused on the energy needed to maintain a showcase at 55% RH. Measurements with a Munters dehumidifier were made in different locations. The variability of the showcase was removed by estimates from a developed model. The variability from the building fabric was removed by estimates from an Energy Plus model. The focus of the second part of this research was silver tarnish and its prevention. Performance models allowed geographic location effects to be estimated, and a simple model was developed mainly from existing data on the rate and prevention of silver tarnish. Small areas of missing data were investigated. Carbon footprint information was developed and added to the model to allow predictions of different interventive, preventive and mixed scenarios.