11/14/2016

Heating,Ventilating,andCoolingHistoricBuildings:ProblemsandRecommendedApproaches

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Heating,Ventilating,andCoolingHistoricBuildings:
ProblemsandRecommendedApproaches
Historyof
Mechanical
Systems
Climate
Controland
Preservation
Planningthe
NewSystem
Overviewof
HVAC
Systems
Designingthe
newsystem
Systems
Performance
and
Maintenance
HVACDo's
andDon'ts
Conclusion
Bibliography
RETURNTOTABLE
OFCONTENTS
Thispublicationhas
beenprepared
pursuanttothe
NationalHistoric
PreservationActof
1966,asamended,
whichdirectsthe
Secretaryofthe
Interiortodevelop
andmakeavailable
information
concerninghistoric
properties.Technical
PreservationServices
(TPS),Heritage
PreservationServices
Division,National
ParkService
preparesstandards,
guidelines,andother
educationalmaterials
onresponsible
historicpreservation
treatmentstoa
broadpublic.

SharonC.Park,AIA
Theneedformodernmechanicalsystemsisoneofthemostcommonreasons
toundertakeworkonhistoricbuildings.Suchworkincludesupgradingolder
mechanicalsystems,improvingtheenergyefficiencyofexistingbuildings,
installingnewheating,ventilationorairconditioning(HVAC)systems,or
particularlyformuseumsinstallingaclimatecontrolsystemwithhumidification
anddehumidificationcapabilities.DecisionstoinstallnewHVACorclimate
controlsystemsoftenresultfromconcernforoccupanthealthandcomfort,the
desiretomakeolderbuildingsmarketable,ortheneedtoprovidespecialized
environmentsforoperatingcomputers,storingartifacts,ordisplayingmuseum
collections.Unfortunately,occupantcomfortandconcernsfortheobjectswithin
thebuildingaresometimesgivengreaterconsiderationthanthebuildingitself.
Intoomanycases,applyingmodernstandardsofinteriorclimatecomfortto
historicbuildingshasprovendetrimentaltohistoricmaterialsanddecorative
finishes.

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ThisPreservationBriefunderscorestheimportanceofcarefulplanninginorder
tobalancethepreservationobjectiveswithinteriorclimateneedsofthebuilding.
Itisnotintendedasatechnicalguidetocalculatetonnageortosizepipingor
ductwork.Rather,thisBriefidentifiessomeoftheproblemsassociatedwith
installingmechanicalsystemsinhistoricbuildingsandrecommendsapproaches
tominimizingthephysicalandvisualdamageassociatedwithinstallingand
maintainingtheseneworupgradedsystems.
Historicbuildingsarenoteasilyadaptedtohousemodernprecisionmechanical
systems.Carefulplanningmustbeprovidedearlyontoensurethatdecisions
madeduringthedesignandinstallationphasesofanewsystemare
appropriate.Sincenewmechanicalandotherrelatedsystems,suchaselectrical
andfiresuppression,canuseupto10%ofabuilding'ssquarefootageand
30%40%ofanoverallrehabilitationbudget,decisionsmustbemadeina
systematicandcoordinatedmanner.Theinstallationofinappropriatemechanical
systemsmayresultinanyorallofthefollowing:
largesectionsofhistoricmaterialsareremovedtoinstallorhousenew
systems.
historicstructuralsystemsareweakenedbycarryingtheweightof,and
sustainingvibrationsfrom,largeequipment.
moistureintroducedintothebuildingaspartofanewsystemmigrates
intohistoricmaterialsandcausesdamage,includingbiodegradation,
freeze/thawaction,andsurfacestaining.
exteriorcladdingorinteriorfinishesarestrippedtoinstallnewvapor
barriersandinsulation.
historicfinishes,features,andspacesarealteredbydroppedceilingsand
boxedchasesorbypoorlylocatedgrilles,registers,andequipment.
systemsthataretoolargeortoosmallareinstalledbeforethereisa
clearlyplanneduseoranewtenant.
Forhistoricpropertiesitiscriticaltounderstandwhatspaces,features,and
finishesarehistoricinthebuilding,whatshouldberetained,andwhatthe
realisticheating,ventilating,andcoolingneedsareforthebuilding,its
occupants,anditscontents.Asystematicapproach,involvingpreservation
planning,preservationdesign,andafollowupprogramofmonitoringand
maintenance,canensurethatnewsystemsaresuccessfullyaddedorexisting
systemsaresuitablyupgradedwhilepreservingthehistoricintegrityofthe
building.
Nosetformulaexistsfordeterminingwhattypeofmechanicalsystemisbestfor
aspecificbuilding.Eachbuildinganditsneedsmustbeevaluatedseparately.
Somebuildingswillbesosignificantthateveryeffortmustbemadetoprotect
thehistoricmaterialsandsystemsinplacewithminimalintrusionfromnew
systems.Somebuildingswillhavemuseumcollectionsthatneedspecialclimate
control.Insuchcases,curatorialneedsmustbeconsideredbutnottothe
ultimatedetrimentofthehistoricbuildingresource.Otherbuildingswillbe
rehabilitatedforcommercialuse.Forthem,avarietyofsystemsmightbe
acceptable,aslongassignificantspaces,features,andfinishesareretained.

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Mostmechanicalsystemsrequireupgradingorreplacementwithin1530years
duetowearandtearortheavailabilityofimprovedtechnology.Therefore,
historicbuildingsshouldnotbegreatlyalteredorotherwisesacrificedinan
efforttomeetshorttermsystemsobjectives.

HistoryofMechanicalSystems
Thehistoryofmechanicalsystemsinbuildingsinvolvesastudyofinventions
andingenuityasbuildingowners,architects,andengineersdevisedwaysto
improvetheinteriorclimateoftheirbuildings.Followingarehighlightsinthe
evolutionofheating,ventilating,andcoolingsystemsinhistoricbuildings.
EighteenthCentury.EarlyheatingandventilationinAmericareliedupon
commonsensemethodsofmanagingtheenvironment(seefigure1).Builders
purposelysitedhousestocapturewintersunandprevailingsummercross
breezestheychosematerialsthatcouldhelpprotecttheinhabitantsfromthe
elements,andtookprecautionsagainstprecipitationanddamagingdrainage
patterns.Thelocationandsizesofwindows,doors,porches,andthefloorplan

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Heating,Ventilating,andCoolingHistoricBuildings:ProblemsandRecommendedApproaches
itselfoftenevolvedtomaximizeventilation.Heatingwasprimarilyfrom
fireplacesorstovesand,therefore,wasatthesourceofdelivery.In1744,
BenjaminFranklindesignedhis"Pennsylvaniastove"withafreshairintakein
ordertomaximizetheheatradiatedintotheroomandtominimizeannoying
smoke.
Thermalinsulationwasrudimentaryoftenwattleanddaub,brickandwood
nogging.Thecomfortlevelforoccupantswaslow,buttherelativelysmall
differencebetweeninternalandexternaltemperaturesandrelativehumidity
allowedbuildingmaterialstoexpandandcontractwiththeseasons.
Regionalstylesandarchitecturalfeaturesreflectedregionalclimates.Inwarm,
dryandsunnyclimates,thickadobewallsofferedshelterfromthesunandkept
theinsidetemperaturescool.Verandas,courtyards,porches,andhighceilings
alsoreducedtheimpactofthesun.Hotandhumidclimatescalledforelevated
livingfloors,louveredgrillesandshutters,balconies,andinteriorcourtyardsto
helpcirculateair.
NineteenthCentury.Theindustrialrevolutionprovidedthetechnologicalmeans
forcontrollingtheenvironmentforthefirsttime(seefigure2).Thedual
developmentsofsteamenergyfromcoalandindustrialmassproductionmade
possibleearlycentralheatingsystemswithdistributionofheatedairorsteam
usingmetalductsorpipes.Improvementsweremadetoearlywroughtiron
boilersandbylatecentury,steamandlowpressurehotwaterradiatorsystems
wereincommonuse,bothinofficesandresidences.Somelargeinstitutional
buildingsheatedairinfurnacesanddistributeditthroughoutthebuildinginbrick
flueswithanetworkofmetalpipesdeliveringheatedairtoindividualrooms.
Residentialdesignsoftheperiodoftenusedgravityhotairsystemsutilizing
decorativefloorandceilinggrilles.
Ventilationbecamemorescientificandtheintroductionoffreshairintobuildings
becameanimportantcomponentofheatingandcooling.Improvedforcedair
ventilationbecamepossibleinmidcenturywiththeintroductionofpowerdriven
fans.Architecturalfeaturessuchasporches,awnings,windowanddoor
transoms,largeopenworkironrooftrusses,roofmonitors,cupolas,skylights
andclerestorywindowshelpedtodissipateheatandprovidehealthyventilation.
Cavitywallconstruction,popularinmasonrystructures,improvedtheinsulating
qualitiesofabuildingandalsoprovidedanaturalcavityforthedissipationof
moistureproducedontheinteriorofthebuilding.Insomebuildings,cinderchips
andbrokenmasonryfillerbetweenstructuralironbeamsandjackarchfloor
vaultsprovidedthermalinsulationaswellasfireproofing.Mineralwoolandcork
werenewsourcesoflightweightinsulationandwereforerunnersof
contemporarybattandblanketinsulation.
Thetechnologyoftheage,however,wasnotsufficienttoproduce"tight"
buildings.Therewasstillonlyamoderatedifferencebetweeninternaland
externaltemperatures.Thiswasdue,inpart,tothelimitationsofearly
insulation,thealmostexclusiveuseofsingleglazedwindows,andtheabsence
ofairtightconstruction.Thepresenceofventilatingfansandtherelianceon
architecturalfeatures,suchasoperablewindows,cupolasandtransoms,allowed
sufficientairmovementtokeepbuildingswellventilated.Buildingmaterials
couldbehaveinafairlytraditionalway,expandingandcontractingwiththe
seasons.
TwentiethCentury.Thetwentiethcenturysawintensivedevelopmentofnew
technologiesandthenotionoffullyintegratingmechanicalsystems(seefigure
3).Oilandgasfurnaces
developedinthenineteenthcenturywereimprovedandmademoreefficient,
withelectricitybecomingthecriticalsourceofpowerforbuildingsystemsinthe
latterhalfofthecentury.Forcedairheatingsystemswithductsandregisters
becamepopularforalltypesofbuildingsandallowedarchitectstoexperiment
witharchitecturalformsfreefrommechanicalencumbrances.Inthe1920s
largescaletheatersandauditoriumsintroducedcentralairconditioning,andby
midcenturyforcedairsystemswhichcombinedheatingandairconditioningin
thesameductworksetanewstandardforcomfortandconvenience.The
combinationandcoordinationofavarietyofsystemscametogetherinthepost
WorldWarIIhighrisebuildingscomplexheatingandairconditioningplants,
electricelevators,mechanicaltowers,ventilationfans,andfullserviceelectric
lightingwereintegratedintothebuilding'sdesign.
Theinsulatingqualitiesofbuildingmaterialsimproved.Syntheticmaterials,such
asspunfiberglassbattinsulation,werefullydevelopedbymidcentury.
Prototypesofinsulatedthermalglazingandintegralstormwindowsystemswere
promotedinconstructionjournals.Caulkingtosealoutperimeterairaround
windowanddooropeningsbecameastandardconstructiondetail.
ThelastquarterofthetwentiethcenturyhasseenmakingHVACsystemsmore
energyefficientandbetterintegrated.Theuseofvaporbarrierstocontrol
moisturemigration,thermallyefficientwindows,caulkingandgaskets,
compressedthinwallinsulation,hasbecomestandardpractice.Newintegrated
systemsnowcombineinteriorclimatecontrolwithfiresuppression,lighting,air
filtration,temperatureandhumiditycontrol,andsecuritydetection.Computers
regulatetheperformanceoftheseintegratedsystemsbasedonthetimeofday,
dayoftheweek,occupancy,andoutsideambienttemperature.

ClimateControlandPreservation
Althoughtwentiethcenturymechanicalsystemstechnologyhashada
tremendousimpactonmakinghistoricbuildingscomfortable,theintroductionof
thesenewsystemsinolderbuildingsisnotwithoutproblems.Theattemptto
meetandmaintainmodernclimatecontrolstandardsmayinfactbedamaging
tohistoricresources.Modernsystemsareoftenoverdesignedtocompensate
forinherentinefficienciesofsomehistoricbuildingsmaterialsandplanlayouts.
Energyretrofitmeasures,suchasinstallingexteriorwallinsulationandvapor
barriersorthesealingofoperablewindowandvents,ultimatelyaffectthe
performanceandcanreducethelifeofaginghistoricmaterials.
Ingeneral,thegreaterthedifferentialbetweentheinteriorandexterior
temperatureandhumiditylevels,thegreaterthepotentialfordamage.As
naturalvaporpressuremovesmoisturefromawarmareatoacolder,dryer
area,condensationwilloccuronorinbuildingmaterialsinthecolderarea(see
figure4).Toolittlehumidityinwinter,forexample,candryandcrackhistoric
woodenorpaintedsurfaces.Toomuchhumidityinwintercausesmoistureto
collectoncoldsurfaces,suchaswindows,ortomigrateintowalls.Asaresult,
thiscondensationdeteriorateswoodenormetalwindowsandcausesrottingof
wallsandwoodenstructuralelements,dampeninginsulationandholding
moistureagainstexteriorsurfaces.Moisturemigrationthroughwallscancause
thecorrosionofmetalanchors,angles,nailsorwirelath,canblisterandpeel
exteriorpaint,orcanleaveefflorescenceandsaltdepositsonexteriormasonry.
Incoldclimates,freezethawdamagecanresultfromexcessivemoisturein
externalwalls.
Toavoidthesetypesofdamagetoahistoricbuilding,isimportanttounderstand
howbuildingcomponentsworktogetherasasystem.Methodsforcontrolling
interiortemperatureandhumidityandimprovingvenationmustbeconsideredin
anyneworupgradedHVACorclimatecontrolsystem.Whilecertainenergy
retrofitmeasureswillhaveapositiveeffectontheoverallbuilding,installing
effectivevaporbarriersinhistoricwallsisdifficultandoftenresultsin
destructionofsignificanthistoricmaterials(seefigure5).

PlanningtheNewSystem

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Heating,Ventilating,andCoolingHistoricBuildings:ProblemsandRecommendedApproaches
Climatecontrolsystemsaregenerallyclassifiedaccordingtothemediumused
toconditionthetemperature:air,water,oracombinationofboth(seeoverview
onpage6).Thecomplexityofchoicesfacingabuildingownerormanager
meansthatasystematicapproachiscriticalindeterminingthemostsuitable
systemforabuilding,itscontents,anditsoccupants.Nomatterwhichsystemis
installed,achangeintheinteriorclimatewillresult.Thisphysicalchangewillin
turnaffecthowthebuildingmaterialsperform.Newregisters,grilles,cabinets,
orotheraccessoriesassociatedwiththenewmechanicalsystemwillalso
visuallychangetheinterior(andsometimestheexterior)appearanceofthe
building.Regardlessofthetypeorextentofamechanicalsystem,theownerof
ahistoricbuildingshouldknowbeforeasystemisinstalledwhatitwilllooklike
andwhatproblemscanbeanticipatedduringthelifeofthatsystem.The
potentialharmtoabuildingandcoststoanownerofselectingthewrong
mechanicalsystemareverygreat.
Theuseofabuildinganditscontentswilllargelydeterminethebesttypeof
mechanicalsystem.Thehistoricbuildingmaterialsandconstructiontechnology
aswellasthesizeandavailabilityofsecondaryspaceswithinthehistoric
structurewillaffectthechoiceofasystem.Itmaybenecessarytoinvestigatea
combinationofsystems.Ineachcase,theneedsoftheuser,theneedsofthe
building,andtheneedsofacollectionorequipmentmustbeconsidered.Itmay
notbenecessarytohaveacomprehensiveclimatecontrolsystemifclimate
sensitiveobjectscanbeaccommodatedinspecialareasorclimatecontrolled
displaycases.Itmaynotbenecessarytohavecentralairconditioninginamild
climateifnaturalventilationsystemscanbeimprovedthroughtheuseof
operablewindows,awnings,exhaustfans,andother"lowtech"means.Modern
standardsforclimatecontroldevelopedfornewconstructionmaynotbe
achievableordesirableforhistoricbuildings.Ineachcase,thelowestlevelof
interventionneededtosuccessfullyaccomplishthejobshouldbeselected.
Beforeasystemischosen,thefollowingplanningstepsarerecommended:
1.Determinetheuseofthebuilding.Theproposeduseofthebuilding(museum,
commercial,residential,retail)willinfluencethetypeofsystemthatshouldbe
installed.Thenumberofpeopleandfunctionstobehousedinabuildingwill
establishthelevelofcomfortandservicethatmustbeprovided.Avoidusesthat
requiremajormodificationstosignificantarchitecturalspaces.Whatisthe
intensityofuseofthebuilding:intermittentorconstantuse,specialeventsor
seasonalevents?Willtheuseofthebuildingrequiremajornewservicessuchas
restaurants,laundries,kitchens,lockerrooms,orotherareasthatgenerate
moisturethatmayexacerbateclimatecontrolwithinthehistoricspace?Inthe
contextofhistoricpreservation,usesthatrequireradicalreconfigurationsof
historicspacesareinappropriateforthebuilding.
2.Assembleaqualifiedteam.Thisteamideallyshouldconsistofapreservation
architect,mechanicalengineer,electricalengineer,structuralengineer,and
preservationconsultants,eachknowledgeableincodesandlocalrequirements.
Ifaspecialuse(church,museum,artstudio)oracollectionisinvolved,a
specialistfamiliarwiththemechanicalrequirementsofthatbuildingtypeor
collectionshouldalsobehired.
Teammembersshouldbefamiliarwiththeneedsofhistoricbuildingsandbe
abletobalancecomplexfactors:thepreservationofthehistoricarchitecture
(aestheticsandconservation),requirementsimposedbymechanicalsystems
(quantifiedheatingandcoolingloads),buildingcodes(healthandsafety),tenant
requirements(qualityofcomfort,easeofoperation),access(maintenanceand
futurereplacement),andtheoverallcosttotheowner.
3.Undertakeaconditionassessmentoftheexistingbuildinganditssystems.
Whataretheexistingconstructionmaterialsandmechanicalsystems?What
conditionaretheyinandaretheyreusable(seefigure6)?Whereareexisting
chillers,boilers,airhandlers,orcoolingtowerslocated?Lookattheconditionof
allotherservicesthatmaybenefitfrombeingintegratedintoanewsystem,
suchaselectricalandfiresuppressionsystems.Wherecanenergyefficiencybe
improvedtohelpdownsizeanynewequipmentadded,andwhichofthehistoric
features,e.g.shutters,awnings,skylights,canbereused(seefigure7)?
Evaluateairinfiltrationthroughtheexteriorenvelopemonitortheinteriorfor
temperatureandhumiditylevelswithhygrothermographsforatleastayear.
Identifybuilding,site,orequipmentdeficienciesorthepresenceofasbestosthat
mustbecorrectedpriortotheinstallationorupgradingofmechanicalsystems.
4.Prioritizearchitecturallysignificantspaces,finishes,andfeaturestobe
preserved.Significantarchitecturalspaces,finishesandfeaturesshouldbe
identifiedandevaluatedattheoutsettoensuretheirpreservation.Thisincludes
significantexistingmechanicalsystemsorelementssuchashotwaterradiators
decorativegrilles,elaborateswitchplates,andnonmechanicalarchitectural
featuressuchascupolas,transoms,orporches.Identifynonsignificantspaces
wheremechanicalequipmentcanbeplacedandsecondaryspaceswhere
equipmentanddistributionrunsonbothahorizontalandverticalbasiscanbe
located.Appropriatesecondaryspacesforhousingequipmentmightinclude
attics,basements,penthouses,mezzanines,falseceilingorfloorcavities,
verticalchases,stairtowers,closets,orexteriorbelowgradevaults(seefigure
8).
5.Becomefamiliarwithlocalbuildingandfirecodes.Ownersortheir
representativesshouldmeetearlyandoftenwithlocalofficials.Legal
requirementsshouldbecheckedforexample,canexistingductworkbereused
ormodifiedwithdampers?Isasbestosabatementrequired?Whatarethe
energy,fire,andsafetycodesandstandardsinplace,andhowcantheybemet
whilemaintainingthehistoriccharacterofthebuilding?Howarefireseparation
wallsandratedmechanicalsystemstobehandledbetweenmultipletenants?Is
therearequirementforfreshairintakeforstairtowersthatwillaffectthe
exteriorappearanceofthebuilding?Manyofthehealth,energy,andsafety
coderequirementswillinfluencedecisionsmadeformechanicalequipmentfor
climatecontrol.Itisimportancetoknowwhattheyarebeforethedesignphase
begins.
6.Evaluateoptionsforthetypeandsizeofsystems.Amatrixorfeasibility
studiesshouldbedevelopedtobalancethebenefitsanddrawbacksofvarious
systems.Factorstoconsiderincludeheatingand/orcooling,fueltype,
distributionsystem,controldevices,generatingequipmentandaccessoriessuch
asfiltration,andhumidification.Whataretheinitialinstallationcosts,projected
fuelcosts,longtermmaintenance,andlifecyclecostsofthesecomponentsand
systems?Arepartsofanexistingsystembeingreusedandupgraded?The
benefitsofaddedventilationshouldnotbeoverlooked(seefigure9).Whatare
thetradeoffsbetweenonelargecentralsystemandmultiplesmallersystems?
Shouldtherebeaforcedairductedsystem,atwopipefancoilsystem,ora
combinedwaterandairsystem?Whatspaceisavailablefortheequipmentand
distributionsystem?Assessthefirerisklevelsofvariousfuels.Understandthe
advantagesanddisadvantagesofthevarioustypesofmechanicalsystems
available.Thenevaluateeachofthesesystemsinlightofthepreservation
objectivesestablishedduringthedesignphaseofplanning.
______________________________________________________

OverviewofHVACSystemsWATERSYSTEMS:Hydronicradiators,Fancoil,or
radiantpipes
Watersystemsaregenerallycalledhydronicanduseanetworkofpipesto
deliverwatertohotwaterradiators,radiantpipessetinfloorsorfancoil
cabinetswhichcangivebothheatingandcooling.Boilersproducehotwateror

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Heating,Ventilating,andCoolingHistoricBuildings:ProblemsandRecommendedApproaches
steamchillersproducechilledwaterforusewithfancoilunits.Thermostats
controlthetemperaturebyzoneforradiatorsandradiant
floors.Fancoilunitshaveindividualcontrols.Radiantfloorsprovidequiet,even
heat,butarenotcommon.
Advantages:Pipedsystemsaregenerallyeasiertoinstallinhistoricbuildings
becausethepipesaresmallerthanductwork.
Disadvantages:Thereistherisk,however,ofhiddenleaksinthewallorburst
pipesinwinterifboilersfail.Fancoilcondensatepanscanoverflowifnot
properlymaintained.Fancoilsmaybenoisy.
HydronicRadiators:Radiatorsorbaseboardradiatorsareloopedtogetherand
areusuallysetunderwindowsoralongperimeterwalls.Newboilersand
circulatingpumpscanupgradeoldersystems.Mostpipingwascastironalthough
coppersystemscanbeusedifseparatelyzoned.Moderncastironbaseboards
andcopperfintubesareavailable.Historicradiatorscanbereconditioned.
FanCoilUnits:Fancoilsystemsuseterminalcabinetsineachroomservicedby
2,3,or4pipesapproximately11/2"eachindiameter.Afanblowsairoverthe
coilswhichareservicedbyhotorchilledwater.Eachfancoilcabinetcanbe
individuallycontrolled.Fourpipefancoilscanprovidebothheatingandcooling
allyearlong.Mostpipingissteel.Noncabinetunitsmaybeconcealedinclosets
orcustomcabinetry,suchasbenches,canbebuilt.

CENTRALAIRSYSTEMS
Thebasicheating,ventilationandairconditioning(HVAC)systemisallair,
singlezonefandrivendesignedforlow,mediumorhighpressuredistribution.
Thesystemiscomposedofcompressordrives,chillers,condensers,andfurnace
dependingonwhethertheairisheated,chilledorboth.Condensers,generally
aircooled,arelocatedoutside.Theductsaresheetmetalorflexibleplasticand
canbeinsulated.Freshaircanbecirculated.Registerscanbedesignedfor
ceilings,floorsandwalls.Thesystemiscontrolledbythermostatsoneper
zone.
Advantages:Ductedsystemsofferahighlevelofcontrolofinterior
temperature,humidity,andfiltration.Zonedunitscanberelativelysmalland
wellconcealed.
Disadvantages:Thedamagefrominstallingaductedsystemwithoutadequate
spacecanbeseriousforahistoricbuilding.Systemsneedconstantbalancing
andcanbenoisy.
BasicHVAC:Mostresidentialorsmallcommercialsystemswillconsistofabasic
furnacewithacoolingcoilsetintheunitandarefrigerantcompressoror
condenserlocatedoutsidethebuilding.Heatingandcoolingductworkisusually
shared.Ifsophisticatedhumidificationanddehumidificationisaddedtothebasic
HVACsystem,afullclimatecontrolsystemresults.Thiscanoftendoublethe
sizeoftheequipment.
BasicHeatPump/AirSystem:TheheatpumpisabasicHVACsystemas
describedaboveexceptforthemethodofgeneratinghotandcoldair.The
systemoperatesonthebasic
refrigerationcyclewherelatentheatisextractedfromtheambientairandis
usedtoevaporaterefrigerantvaporunderpressure.Functionsofthecondenser
andevaporatorswitchwhenheatingisneeded.Heatpumps,somewhatless
efficientincoldclimates,canbefittedwithelectricresistancecoil.

COMBINEDAIRANDWATERSYSTEMS
Thesesystemsarepopularforrestorationworkbecausetheycombinetheease
ofinstallationforthepipedsystemwiththeperformanceandcontrolofthe
ductedsystem.Smallerairhandlingunits,notunlikefancoils,maybelocated
throughoutabuildingwithservicefromacentralboilerandchiller.Inmany
casesthewaterisdeliveredfromacentralplantwhichservicesacomplexof
buildings.
Thissystemovercomesthedisadvantagesofacentralductedsystemwhere
thereisnotadequatehorizontalorverticalrunsfortheductwork.The
equipment,beingsmaller,mayalsobequieterandcauselessvibration.Ifonly
oneairhandlerisbeingutilizedforthebuilding,itispossibletohouseallthe
equipmentinavaultoutsidethebuildingandsendonlyconditionedairintothe
structure.
Advantages:flexibilityforinstallationusinggreaterpipingrunswithshorter
ductedrunsAirhandlerscanfitintosmallspaces.
Disadvantages:pipingareasmayhaveundetectedleaksairhandlersmaybe
noisy.

OTHERSYSTEMCOMPONENTS
Nonsystemscomponentsshouldnotbeoverlookediftheycanmakeabuilding
morecomfortablewithoutcausingdamagetothehistoricresourceorits
collection.
Advantages:componentsmayprovideacceptablelevelsofcomfortwithoutthe
needforanentiresystem.
Disadvantages:Spotheating,coolingandfluxuationsinhumiditymayharm
sensitivecollectionsorfurnishings.Ifanintegratedsystemisdesirable,
componentsmayprovideonlyatemporarysolution.
PortableAirConditioning:
Mostindividualairconditionersaresetinwindowsorthroughexteriorwalls
whichcanbevisuallyaswellasphysicallydamagingtohistoricbuildings.Newer
portableairconditionersareavailablewhichsitinaroomandexhaustdirectly
totheexteriorthroughasmallslotcreatedbyaraisedwindowsash.
Fans:Fansshouldbeconsideredinmostpropertiestoimproveventilation.Fans
canbelocatedinattics,atthetopofstairs,orinindividualrooms.Inmoderate
climates,fansmayeliminatetheneedtoinstallcentralairsystems.
Dehumidifiers:Forhouseswithoutcentralairhandlingsystems,adehumidifier
canresolveproblemsinhumidclimates.Seasonaluseofdehumidifierscan
removemoisturefromdampbasementsandreducefungalgrowth.
Heaters:Portableradiantheaters,suchasthosewithwaterandglycol,may
providetemporaryheatinbuildingsusedinfrequentlyorduringsystems
breakdowns.Careshouldbetakennottocreateafirehazardwithimproperly
wiredunits.
______________________________________________________

Designingthenewsystem
Indesigningasystem,itisimportanttoanticipatehowitwillbeinstalled,how
damagetohistoricmaterialscanbeminimized,andhowvisiblethenew
mechanicalsystemwillbewithintherestoredorrehabilitatedspaces(seefigure
10af).Mechanicalequipmentspaceneedsareoftenoverwhelminginsome
cases,itmaybeadvantageoustolookforlocationsoutsideofthebuilding,

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includinggroundvaults,tohousesomeoftheequipmentbutonlyifitthereisno
adverseimpacttothehistoriclandscapeoradjacentarcheologicalresources.
Variousmeansforreducingtheheatingandcoolingloads(andtherebythesize
oftheequipment)shouldbeinvestigated.Thismightmeanreducingslightlythe
comfortlevelsoftheinterior,increasingthenumberofclimatecontrolzones,or
improvingtheenergyefficiencyofthebuilding.
Thefollowingactivitiesaresuggestedduringthedesignphaseofthenew
system:
1.Establishspecificcriteriafortheneworupgradedmechanicalsystem.New
systemsshouldbeinstalledwithaminimumofdamagetotheresourceand
shouldbevisuallycompatiblewiththearchitectureofthebuilding.Theyshould
beinstalledinawaythatiseasytoservice,maintain,andupgradeinthefuture.
Thereshouldbesafetyandbackupmonitorsinplaceifbuildingshave
collections,computerrooms,storagevaultsorspecialconditionsthatneed
monitoring.Thenewsystemsshouldworkwithinthestructurallimitsofthe
historicbuilding.Theyshouldproducenounduevibration,nounduenoise,no
dustormold,andnoexcessmoisturethatcoulddamagethehistoricbuilding
materials.Ifanyequipmentistobelocatedoutsideofthebuilding,thereshould
benoimpacttothehistoricappearanceofbuildingorsite,andthereshouldbe
noimpactonarcheologicalresources.
2.Prioritizetherequirementsforthenewclimatecontrolsystem.Theuseofthe
buildingwilldeterminethelevelofinteriorcomfortandclimatecontrol.
Sometimes,varioustemperaturezonesmaysafelybecreatedwithinahistoric
building.Thiszonedapproachmaybeappropriateforbuildingswithspecialized
collectionsstorage,forbuildingswithmixeduses,orforlargebuildingswith
differentexternalexposures,occupancypatterns,anddeliveryschedulesfor
controlledair.Specialarchives,storagevaultsorcomputerroomsmayneeda
completelydifferentclimate
controlfromtherestofthebuilding.Determinetemperatureandhumiditylevels
foroccupantsandcollectionsandventilationrequirementsbetweendiffering
zones.Establishifthesystemistorun24hoursadayoronlyduringoperating
orbusinesshours.Determinewhatcontrolsareoptimum(manual,computer,
presetautomatic,orother).Thesizeandlocationoftheequipmenttohandle
thesedifferentsituationswillultimatelyaffectthedesignoftheoverallsystem
aswell.
3.MinimizetheimpactofthenewHVAContheexistingarchitecture.Design
criteriaforthenewsystemshouldbebasedonthetypeofarchitectureofthe
historicresource.Considerationshouldbegivenastowhetherornotthe
deliverysystemisvisibleorhidden.Utilitarianandindustrialspacesmaybe
capableofacceptingamorevisibleandfunctionalsystem.Moreformal,ornate
spaceswhichmaybepartofaninterpretiveprogrammayrequirealessvisible
ordisguisedsystem.Aductedsystemshouldbeinstalledwithoutrippingintoor
boxingoutlargesectionsoffloors,walls,orceilings.Awetpipesystemshould
beinstalledsothathiddenleakswillnotdamageimportantdecorativefinishes.
Ineachcase,notonlythetypeofsystem(air,water,combination),butits
distribution(duct,pipe)anddeliveryappearance(grilles,cabinets,orregisters)
mustbeevaluated.Itmaybenecessarytouseacombinationofdifferent
systemsinordertopreservethehistoricbuilding.Existingchasesshouldbe
reusedwheneverpossible.
4.Balancequantitativerequirementsandpreservationobjectives.Theideal
systemmaynotbeachievableforeachhistoricresourceduetocost,space
limitations,coderequirements,orotherfactorsbeyondtheowner'scontrol.
However,significanthistoricspaces,finishes,andfeaturescanbepreservedin
almosteverycase,evengiventheselimitations.Forexample,ifsomeceiling
areasmustbeslightlyloweredtoaccommodateductworkorpiping,these
shouldbeinsecondaryareasawayfromdecorativeceilingsortallwindows.If
modernfancoilterminalunitsaretobevisibleinhistoricspaces,consideration
shouldbegiventocustomdesigningthecabinetsortousingsmallerunitsin
morelocationstodiminishtheirimpact.Ifgrillesandregistersaretobelocated
insignificantspaces,theyshouldbedesignedtoworkwithinthegeometryor
placementofdecorativeelements.Allnewelements,suchasducts,registers,
piperuns,andmechanicalequipmentshouldbeinstalledinareversiblemanner
toberemovedinthefuturewithoutfurtherdamagetothebuilding(seefig11).

SystemsPerformanceandMaintenance
Oncethesystemisinstalled,itwillrequireroutinemaintenanceandbalancingto
ensurethattheproperperformancelevelsareachieved.Insomecases,
extremelysophisticated,computerizedsystemshavebeendevelopedtocontrol
interiorclimates,butthesestillneedmonitoringbytrainedstaff.Ifcollection
exhibitsandarchivalstorageareimportanttotheresource,theclimatecontrol
systemwillrequireconstantmonitoringandtuning.Backupsystemsarealso
neededtopreventdamagewhenthemainsystemisnotworking.Theowner,
manager,orchiefofmaintenanceshouldbeawareofallaspectsofthenew
climatecontrolsystemandhaveaplanofactionbeforeitisinstalled.
Regulartrainingsessionsonoperating,monitoring,andmaintainingthenew
systemshouldbeheldforbothcuratorialandbuildingmaintenancestaff.If
therearecuratorialreasonstomaintainconstanttemperatureorhumidity
levels,onlyindividualsthoroughlytrainedinhowtheHVACsystemsoperates
shouldbeabletoadjustthermostats.Illinformedandhaphazardattemptsto
adjustcomfortlevels,ortosaveenergyoverweekendsandholidays,cancause
greatdamage.
______________________________________________________

HVACDo'sandDon'tsDO's:
Useshutters,operablewindows,porches,curtains,awnings,shadetrees
andotherhistoricallyappropriatenonmechanicalfeaturesofhistoric
buildingstoreducetheheatingandcoolingloads.Consideradding
sensitivelydesignedstormwindowstoexistinghistoricwindows.
Retainorupgradeexistingmechanicalsystemswheneverpossible:for
example,reuseradiatorsystemswithnewboilers,upgradeventilation
withinthebuilding,installproperthermostatsorhumidistats.
Improveenergyefficiencyofexistingbuildingsbyinstallinginsulationin
atticsandbasements.Addinsulationandvaporbarrierstoexteriorwalls
onlywhenitcanbedonewithoutfurtherdamagetotheresource.
Inmajorspaces,retaindecorativeelementsofthehistoricsystem
wheneverpossible.Thisincludesswitchplates,grillesandradiators.Be
creativeinadaptingthesefeaturestoworkwithintheneworupgraded
system.
Usespaceinexistingchases,closetsorshaftsfornewdistribution
systems.
Designclimatecontrolsystemsthatarecompatiblewiththearchitecture
ofthebuilding:hiddensystemforformalspaces,moreexposedsystems
possibleinindustrialorsecondaryspaces.Informalareas,avoid
standardcommercialregistersandusecustomslotregistersorotherless
intrusivegrilles.
Sizethesystemtoworkwithinthephysicalconstraintsofthebuilding.
Usemultizonedsmallerunitsinconjunctionwithexistingverticalshafts,
suchasstackedclosets,orconsiderlocatingequipmentinvaults
underground,ifpossible.
Provideadequateventilationtothemechanicalroomsaswellastothe
entirebuilding.Selectivelyinstallairintakegrillesinlessvisible
basement,attic,orrearareas.

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Heating,Ventilating,andCoolingHistoricBuildings:ProblemsandRecommendedApproaches
Maintainappropriatetemperatureandhumiditylevelstomeet
requirementswithoutacceleratingthedeteriorationofthehistoricbuilding
materials.Setupregularmonitoringschedules.
Designthesystemformaintenanceaccessandforfuturesystems
replacement.
Forhighlysignificantbuildings,installsafetymonitorsandbackup
features,suchasdoublepans,moisturedetectors,linedchases,and
batterypackstoavoidordetectleaksandotherdamagefromsystem
failures.
Havearegularmaintenanceprogramtoextendequipmentlifeandto
ensureproperperformance.
Trainstafftomonitortheoperationofequipmentandtoact
knowledgeablyinemergenciesorbreakdowns.
Haveanemergencyplanforboththebuildingandanycuratorial
collectionsincaseofseriousmalfunctionsorbreakdowns.

DON'TS:
Don'tinstallanewsystemifyoudon'tneedit.
Don'tswitchtoanewtypeofsystem(e.g.forcedair)unlessthereis
sufficientspaceforthenewsystemoranappropriateplacetoputit.
Don'toverdesignanewsystem.Don'taddairconditioningorclimate
controliftheyarenotabsolutelynecessary.
Don'tcutexteriorhistoricbuildingwallstoaddthroughwallheatingand
airconditioningunits.Thesearevisuallydisfiguring,theydestroyhistoric
fabric,andcondensationrunofffromsuchunitscanfurtherdamage
historicmaterials.
Don'tdamagehistoricfinishes,maskhistoricfeatures,oralterhistoric
spaceswheninstallingnewsystems.
Don'tdropceilingsorbulkheadsacrosswindowopenings.
Don'tremoverepairablehistoricwindowsorreplacethemwith
inappropriatelydesignedthermalwindows.
Don'tsealoperablewindows,unlesspartofamuseumwhereair
pollutantsanddustarebeingcontrolled.
Don'tplacecondensers,solarpanels,chimneystacks,ventsorother
equipmentonvisibleportionsofroofsoratsignificantlocationsonthe
site.
Don'toverloadthebuildingstructurewiththeweightofnewequipment,
particularlyintheattic.
Don'tplacestressonhistoricbuildingmaterialsthroughthevibrationsof
thenewequipment.
Don'tallowcondensationonwindowsorwithinwallstorotorspall
adjacenthistoricbuildingmaterials.
______________________________________________________
Maintenancestaffshouldlearnhowtooperate,monitor,andmaintainthe
mechanicalequipment.Theymustknowwherethemaintenancemanualsare
kept.Routinemaintenanceschedulesmustbedevelopedforchangingand
cleaningfilters,vents,andcondensatepanstocontrolfungus,mold,andother
organismsthataredangeroustohealth.Suchgrowthscanharmboth
inhabitantsandequipment.(Inpipedsystems,forexample,moldsin
condensatepanscanblockdrainagelinesandcauseanoverflowtoleakonto
finishedsurfaces).Maintenancestaffshouldalsobeabletomonitorthe
appropriategauges,dials,andthermographs.Staffmustbetrainedtointervene
inemergencies,toknowwherethemastercontrolsare,andwhomtocallinan
emergency.Asnewpersonnelarehired,theywillalsorequiremaintenance
training.
Inadditiontoregularcyclicalmaintenance,thoroughinspectionsshouldbe
undertakenfromtimetotimetoevaluatethecontinuedperformanceofthe
climatecontrolsystem.Asthesystemages,partsarelikelytofail,andsignsof
troublemayappear.Inadequatelyventilatedareasmaysmellmusty.Wall
surfacesmayshowstaining,wetpatches,bubblingorothersignsofmoisture
damage.Routinetestsforairquality,humidity,andtemperatureshouldindicate
ifthesystemisperformingproperly.Ifthereisdamageasaresultofthenew
system,itshouldberepairedimmediatelyandthencloselymonitoredtoensure
completerepair.
Equipmentmustbeaccessibleformaintenanceandshouldbevisibleforeasy
inspection.Moreover,sincemechanicalsystemslastonly1530years,the
systemitselfmustbe"reversible."Thatis,thesystemmustbeinstalledinsuch
awaythatlaterremovalwillnotdamagethebuilding.Inadditiontoservicing,
thebackupmonitorsthatsignalmalfunctioningequipmentmustberoutinely
checked,adjusted,andmaintained.Checklistsshouldbedevelopedtoensure
thatallaspectsofroutinemaintenancearecompletedandthatdataisreported
tothebuildingmanager.

Conclusion
Thesuccessfulintegrationofnewsystemsinhistoricbuildingscanbe
challenging.MeetingmodernHVACrequirementsforhumancomfortorinstalling
controlledclimatesformuseumcollectionsorfortheoperationofcomplex
computerequipmentcanresultinbothvisualandphysicaldamagetohistoric
resources.Ownersofhistoricbuildingsmustbeawarethatthefinalresultwill
involvebalancingmultipleneedsnoperfectheating,ventilating,andair
conditioningsystemexists.Inundertakingchangestohistoricbuildings,itisbest
tohavetheadviceandinputoftrainedprofessionalswhocan:
assesstheconditionofthehistoricbuilding,
evaluatethesignificantelementsthatshouldbepreservedorreused,
prioritizethepreservationobjectives,
understandtheimpactofnewinteriorclimateconditionsonhistoric
materials
integratepreservationwithmechanicalandcoderequirements,
maximizetheadvantagesofvariousneworupgradedmechanical
systems,
understandthevisualandphysicalimpactofvariousinstallations,
identifymaintenanceandmonitoringrequirementsforneworupgraded
systems,and
planforthefutureremovalorreplacementofthesystem.
Toooftenthepresumedclimateneedsoftheoccupantsorcollectionscanbe
detrimentaltothelongtermpreservationofthebuilding.Withacarefulbalance
betweenthepreservationneedsofthebuildingandtheinteriortemperatureand
humidityneedsoftheoccupants,asuccessfulprojectcanresult.

Bibliography
Banham,Reyner.TheArchitectureoftheWellTemperedEnvironment.London:
TheArchitecturalPress,1969.
Burns,JohnA.,AIA.EnergyConservingFeaturesInherentinOlderHomes
Washington:U.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentandU.S.
DepartmentoftheInterior,1982.
Cowan,HenryJ.ScienceandBuildingStructuralandEnvironmentalDesignin
theNineteenthandTwentiethCenturies.NewYork:JohnWiley&Sons,1978.
Ferguson,EugeneS."AnHistoricalSketchofCentralHeating:18001860,"in
BuildingEarlyAmerica(CharlesPeterson,editor)Philadelphia:ChiltonBookCo.,
1976.

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Heating,Ventilating,andCoolingHistoricBuildings:ProblemsandRecommendedApproaches
Fitch,JamesMarston.AmericanBuildingTheEnvironmentalForcesThatShape
It.Boston:HoughtonMifflinCo.,1972.
Giedion,Siegfried.MechanizationTakesCommandaContributionto
AnonymousHistory.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1948.
Merritt,FrederickS.BuildingEngineeringandSystemsDesign.NewYork:Van
NostrandReinholdCo,1979.
Smith,BairdM.PreservationBriefs3:ConservingEnergyinHistoricBuildings.
Washington,DC:U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior,1978.
Turberg,Edward.AHistoryofAmericanBuildingTechnology.Durham:Durham
TechnicalInstitute,1981.

Acknowledgements
TheauthorgratefullyacknowledgestheinvaluableassistanceofMichaelC.
Henry,P.E.,AIA,inthedevelopmentandtechnicaleditingofthisPreservation
Brief.TechnicalreviewwasalsoprovidedbyErnestA.Conrad,P.E.Thanksis
alsogiventostaffmembersoftheNationalParkServiceCulturalResources
Programs,includingTomKeohanandCatherineColby,RockyMountainRegion
MichaelCrowe,WesternRegionMarkChavez,MidwestRegionRandallJ.
Biallas,AIA,Chief,ParkHistoricArchitectureDivision,andGeorgeA.Thorsen,
HistoricalArchitect,DenverServiceCenter.Specialthanksisalsogivento
MichaelJ.AuerofTechnicalPreservationServicesforhiseditorialassistancein
preparingthispaperandTimBuehnerforhisassistancewiththeillustrations.
Washington,D.C.October,1991

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