The Dangers of Excessive Heat
Heat is an insidious force, causing people to become seriously ill before they realize there is a problem. The public tends to underestimate the serious consequences of heat stroke and this compounds the problem. Organizations which manage historic buildings are obligated to protect people visiting or working in the buildings from the health dangers of high temperatures.
Heat has other effects of more direct interest to preservationists. It can damage a structure's interior decor, making it harder to maintain the building. This is a growing concern as global climate changes mean many of these buildings are being exposed to temperatures they were never designed for. Interior decor may be destroyed by the ravages of heat, requiring expensive restoration efforts.
The Problem of Air Conditioning
Unfortunately, to install a modern HVAC system would require major renovations to the building's structure. This may be undesired, as it would change the character of the building. It might be illegal for buildings designated as landmarks. Finally, it might simply be architecturally impossible to make such significant changes to the building without threatening its structural integrity.
Older buildings weren't designed to accept central heating and cooling systems because the technology wasn't available when they were built. This presents a dilemma for modern building maintenance. Climate control is necessary but must be done in a way that will not permanently alter the building's appearance. Traditional air conditioning may not be the right solution, but portable air conditioners can do the job without taking away from the structure's charm.
Portable Air Conditioners Save Historic Buildings
Portable air conditioners offer a number of advantages over traditional, centralized HVAC systems in historic buildings. Since they are portable, they can be moved in and out of rooms as necessary. When not needed they can be put into storage so they don't interfere with the ambience. They are small enough to be placed in hidden areas, out of direct line of sight even when in use. Building managers can move them to different areas of the building as needed.
They typically require no permanent modification to the building's structure. In some cases it might be necessary to make minor modifications to a window to allow the unit to exhaust the warm air, but often they can be used without any changes to the building at all. They have the added benefit of removing moisture from the air, an environmental concern which can cause more damage than heat. Portable air conditioners provide a flexible and economic solution to the environmental needs of historic structures
Author is a freelance writer. For more information on portable air conditioners please visit http://www.coldair.net.
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