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
>
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