How Pennsylvania Avenue Runs on Eco-Friendly Electricity

From the First Use of Electricity in the White House To the Green Technology of Today

Electricity has been harnessed and used for over 150 years to power lighting, motors, and other industrial pursuits. While most residences didn’t have electricity until well into the 20th century, one residence was ahead of the curve: the White House. Since electric lighting was first installed there shortly before the turn of the century, many presidents have used 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as a pioneering beacon for electrical technology. Homeowners should celebrate this President’s Day with some fun history about the evolution of electricity in the nation’s capital.

Pennsylvania Avenue Gets Electricity

Electric streetlights were installed along Pennsylvania Avenue in 1881, around the time Thomas Edison patented his long-lasting incandescent bulb. Before this, oil or gas lamps provided lighting in homes and on city streets. The White House itself did not receive electrical capabilities until a decade later.

In 1891, the Edison Company installed generators on the grounds and wired the White House for electric lighting, complete with light switches in every room. However, since electric power was still a novel technology, many people did not fully trust it - President Benjamin Harrison and his First Lady Caroline both refused to touch the switches, afraid they would be electrocuted. Instead, they had staff members turn the lights on and off for them.

Thermal and Solar Energy Comes To Capitol Hill

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter had 32 solar panels installed on the White House roof. The energy generated by these panels was used to help power the building’s water heaters. This was cutting-edge technology at the time and was a clear example of Carter’s passion for environmental conservation. Carter’s panels were later dismantled under Ronald Reagan’s administration.

In 2002, George W. Bush had three separate solar-electric and solar-thermal energy systems installed on the White House grounds, primarily to generate power and help heat water for the maintenance building and its staff. In 2013, during the Barrack Obama presidency, solar-electric panels were again installed on the White House roof as part of Obama’s mission to increase the federal government’s use of renewable energy.

Other Ways the White House Has Gone Green

Other past presidents have made valuable contributions to the causes of energy conservation and environmental responsibility. In 1993, President Bill Clinton implemented several green measures for several federal buildings on Capitol Hill, including the installation of double-pane windows, updated HVAC systems, and energy-efficient light bulbs. Long before Clinton’s efforts, Lyndon B. Johnson famously went around the White House turning off the lights in rooms he believed were empty - though they often weren’t - earning him the playful moniker “Light Bulb Johnson.”

In recent years the Capitol Power Plant, which provides power to numerous buildings including the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Capitol itself, has steadily increased its use of natural gas instead of coal. This has reduced the plant’s greenhouse gas emissions significantly. An update to the facility is currently in the works to “cogenerate” heat and power simultaneously, using only natural gas as a fuel source, further reducing its carbon footprint and improving efficiency.

About Albritton Service Co

Albritton Service Co has been handling the electrical and HVAC needs of Ruston, Louisiana since 1982. Their licensed, insured, and background-checked technicians show up on time in a fully-stocked truck, ready to listen and provide expert service with a smile. As a family-owned and operated local business, Albritton Service Co offers a complete satisfaction guarantee, honest up-front pricing, financing, and emergency service 24/7, 365 days a year. Call now for expert electrical services.

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