The legacy of Dr. Willis Carrier is playing a role in preserving the legacy of George Washington. Though they lived more than a century apart, the "Father of Air Conditioning" made a generous donation to the man considered to be Father of the United States of America.
The installation of a Carrier climate control system in one of America's most revered historic homes, Washington's Mount Vernon, will enable its treasured collections to be preserved for future generations
As part of the project, Carrier installed a Model 30GX Ecologic¿ air-cooled reciprocating chiller, six air handlers on the historic grounds and two WeatherMaker® central air conditioners using Puron¿ refrigerant. In addition to long-term protection of the historic collections Carrier's installation, a gift to Mount Vernon and the country, made possible special exhibitions for the 1999 bicentennial commemoration of George Washington's death.
While tourist comfort is a key benefit, the main reason for the installation was long-term preservation of the approximately 260-year-old structure and its contents. Artifacts, such as china, furniture and other personal memorabilia requiring a climate-controlled environment could finally be displayed.
Mount Vernon is known for selecting leaders when it comes to facility upgrades. Thomas Edison installed the first electrical system, and Henry Ford provided the facility's first fire engine. So when the decision was made to replace the vintage 1899 heating system with a state-of-the-art HVAC system, Mount Vernon sought out Carrier because of its leadership and because of the company's experience with historic structures.
The prospect of installing an air conditioning system in the mansion had always concerned the administrators of the Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens because of the potentially damaging effects it could pose to a structure of this age and historical significance. As any visitor can attest, the mansion is a one-of-a-kind original - not a restoration.
To address the concerns about maintaining the estate's historical value, a Carrier team experienced in "preservation cooling" designed a system to house the air handlers in underground vaults, while carefully snaking ductwork through closets and between rafters wherever possible. This was all done with the understanding that climate control for preservation is very different from climate control for a modern home or commercial building. Special care must be taken with old, uninsulated wood-frame structures such as Mount Vernon. Otherwise, the effects of heating, cooling and humidity control from a modern HVAC system could create condensation problems that could throw the building and its contents into shock.
Carrier worked with the Mount Vernon staff for nearly two years to design an installation with minimal disruption to the structure. A Model 30GX Ecologic air-cooled chiller using chlorine-free refrigerant R-134a, is located in a wooded area about 200 yards from the mansion, hidden from the view of visitors by the forest tree line. Two of the six Model 39T central station air handlers are housed outside near the mansion in below-grade vaults. Venting is run through closets and between rafters to all three floors of the mansion.
The chiller also cools the estate's museum, servants' hall and the reconstructed greenhouse, which are being renovated in preparation for the bicentennial. Additionally, the museum's gallery was renovated for on-site exhibitions featuring important Mount Vernon objects from its own collections.
Protecting the environment is an important aspect of the installation. Two high efficiency WeatherMaker air conditioners were installed at the Mount Vernon resident director's home, a 20th century structure located on the estate.
By installing air conditioners that use environmentally sound refrigerants at Mount Vernon, Carrier helps assure that the 'First Home,' can avoid future problems associated with servicing or replacing systems based on older refrigerants.