Tracey, I agree completely with David. I have seen estimates for historic houses from engineers of $150,000 for HVAC systems, when low tech approaches (and residential philosophies) would cost more like $10-20,000. We need more info from you. Are you talking of replacing just an existing heat/cooling plant, and keeping all of the existing heat/cooling distribution network (ducts, radiators), or are you starting from scratch and need everything? Are your goals to preserve collections or to provide human comfort? Unfortunately, in most historic houses (unless they have been already compromised by alterations), one or the other must be the primary design criteria. If you can fill us in a bit more, we can give you further advice. Marc American Conservation Consortium, Ltd. 4 Rockville Road Broad Brook, CT 06016 www.conservator.com 860-386-6058 *Collections Preservation Consultation *Conservation Assessments & Surveys *Environmental Monitoring & Low-Tech Control *Moisture Management Solutions *Collections in Historic Structures *Collections Care Grant Preparation *Conservation Treatment of: Furniture Painted Wood Horse-Drawn Vehicles Architectural Interiors Marc A. Williams, President MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program Former Chief Wooden Object Conservator, Smithsonian Institution Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC) -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of David Harvey Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 3:29 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Ballpark figure for HVAC in historic house Tracey, A lot more information is needed to get any kind of estimate that would be even accurate or approximate. If you have not done so you need to have a full assessment of the current environment within the structure, the engineering issues (ducting, central power, water, drains, etc.), and architectural issues. The best HVAC installations within historic structures blend these disciplines into a comprehensive plan and that is what generates the specifics needed for a project budget. A frim that just does HVAC installations will have a tendency to oversell what you may actually need. And there have been a number of low cost solutions to environmental control that can be considered before or in concert with any major HVAC project. You are far, far better off in getting grants and funding to do the research and studies first. And environmental control via an HVAC system just isn't a matter of turning it on and letting it run. Sysytem, particularly new ones, need a shake-down period as well as a program in place to "ramp" the RH in the weeks between the dryest season in Winter and the most humid period in the summer and then back to Winter again. I dealt with HVAC issues and new systems when I was at Colonial Williamsburg some years ago - so I am familiar with the general climate and region where your musuem is located. If you need a referral for a knowledgable conservator to consult with feel free to contact me off of the list. Cheers! Dave David Harvey Conservator Los Angeles, CA On 1/23/08, Tracy Sullivan <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hi everyone. We are interested in installing an HVAC system in our facility, a 3- > story historic house dating to 1785. I have no concept of how much such a > thing would cost. Could anyone give me ballpark estimates based on their own > experiences? Also, if you could recommend a company in the Washington, DC > area, that would be great. > > As always, your help is much appreciated. > > Thanks > Tracy Sullivan > > ========================================================= > Important Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).