The efficacy of a humidistat-controlled mechanical ventilation and space heating system was studied for creating preservation environment for both objects and historic buildings (such as museums, libraries, and archives) that are located in warm, humid climatic regions. The goal was to reduce and stabilize the level of relative humidity to avoid deterioration of collections by fungi and bacteria. A low-cost, robust, and technically simple climate control system was designed and tested at Hollybourne Cottage, a 100-year-old, two-and-one-half-story faux tabby building. The cottage is located in the Jekyll Island Historic District on the Atlantic coast of the state of Georgia in the United States, within the ASHRAE-defined warm, humid, cooling climatic region. The efficacy of the control scheme was evaluated through monitoring climate, dust deposition, and microbial activity in the building before and after the installation of the system.

Authors: Shin Maekawa, P.E., Franciza Toledo, Ph.D.

Citation: Indoor Air Quality 2001 Moisture, Microbes, and Heath Effects: Indoor Air Quality and Moisture in Buildings Conference Papers

Keywords: November, California, 2001, IAQ