This paper reports a cost analysis of various climatic control strategies in the galleries of the National Museum in Krakow,Poland based on direct monitoring of the energy consumption and computer modelling using the WUFI Plus software. The effectiveness of the existing climate control is also evaluated by long-term acoustic emission monitoring of an eighteenth-century wardrobe exhibited in the museum’s gallery of decorative art. The technique allowed the progress of damage to be directly traced and the risk to be classified from various RH variations. The outcome of both investigations has supported a review of the museum’s policy
and practice on climate control. The modified approach to climate control was first applied in 2010 during comprehensive rebuilding and renovation of the historic seat of the Princes Czartoryski Museum in Krakow.