Heating or Dehumidification? Maintaining Appropriate Relative Humidity Levels in Historic Buildings Containing Museum Collections. (31st August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thomson, Rob
• Is Part Of: Studies in conservation. Volume 65(2020)|Supplement 1
• Page Start: P321
• Page End: P326
• Publication Date: 2020-08-31
• Subjects: Relative humidity -- environmental monitoring -- preventive conservation -- collections care -- climate change -- conservation heating -- dehumidification; Art objects -- Conservation and restoration -- Periodicals; 700.288
• DOI: 10.1080/00393630.2020.1779523
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0039-3630

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Collections care in temperate zones of the world, including Scotland, is generally well served by a system of heating control known as conservation heating or humidistat-controlled heating. This system adjusts temperature in a building in order to maintain relative humidity at desired levels. An alternative control method is through the use of dehumidification, although airtightness of the building influences the effectiveness of this. This paper assesses three sites where these methods of control have been used: the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle, Abbots House at Arbroath Abbey in eastern Scotland and Skelmorlie Aisle in western Scotland. The benefits of each system are discussed, together with consideration of the effect of climate change on the efficacy of each.