Every building owner wants a lower energy bill. With museum applications in particular, implementing energy saving measures or selecting HVAC economizer systems first requires a full understanding of the system’s capabilities and potential effects in order to avoid negative impacts to the building, its occupants, and its artifacts.
HVAC design for museums in cold weather climates often requires an attention to detail that's typically not necessary when humidification is not a factor.
Because cold, dry, outdoor air must be heated and humidified prior to discharging into the gallery space, and because exterior windows and mullions have the potential to get colder than the space dew point, special care needs to be taken to ensure that condensation does not form on these elements.
Topics: hvac condensation, hvac equipment, high performance hvac design
The presence of airborne pollutants, both particulates and gases, can be damaging to any museum collection or exhibit. Particles in the form of dirt, skin, salt, hair, etc., can rapidly collect on artifacts and display spaces if not properly managed.
Once this layer of dust forms, it makes an easy meal for small organisms and bugs, which can then lead to mice and other rodents. All of these are unwelcome guests in a museum, as their feeding activity and presence alone will assuredly cause damage to sensitive materials.
When it comes to museum galleries, nothing is more important than ensuring the longevity of the precious artifacts located within. One of the most important aspects in preserving the integrity of special collections is the indoor air quality provided by the HVAC system.
Striking a careful balance between performance expectations, ambient weather conditions, and proper HVAC design will help to ensure that museum air quality meets the requirements of the curated collections in each gallery.
Topics: Museum HVAC Design