Hello Tracy,
Depending on what you want to do the implementation (either new or a replacement) of the HVAC can be a very involved project. Some of the things you might want to consider doing are:
1. Start studying your options/plans/strategies now and the current system now.
- try to get an historical understanding of your site and the different systems currently installed (or abandoned in place). You will be managing the leftovers of previous projects whether you like it or not.
2. Involve as many departments/stakeholders as possible
- members of the education, curatorial, facilities, administration, visitor services departments, etc.
- engineers
- architects
- preservation specialists
- neighbors or other members of the community nearby
- board members
- anyone else who might have insight or is invested in your site
3. Study your existing HVAC and come up with a plan to make it work better while your planning a new system
- conduct an energy audit
- conduct a staff procedures audit
- if you don't have one make sure you have a systems operation manual for the existing system (keep in mind you want this created for the new system as well).
- evaluate what you want the system to do in relationship to the historic structure, collection, and people
4. Evaluate and explore revenue sources (grants, loans, donations, etc.) that will offset the costs
5. Assess your collections and what the long term goals are for its care
- evaluate storage space (keep onsite or offsite); if onsite what is the space like and how will the HVAC need to address the storage space
- how are temperature and rh controlled now (are you adding rh controls that you don't have now? If so, consider what effect that will have on the structure not just the collection)
6. Are there other projects in your strategic plan that need to take place first (or at the same time), e.g., do you need to preserve the windows and add storms to make it efficient?
7. Consider putting together an Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) document. It sets out from the beginning what it is you want to accomplish with the new system and dictates the direction the project will go.
8. Consider a cost benefit analysis if you come up with different system options (e.g., geothermal vs. vrf)
7.
Be prepared for surprises no matter how much you plan.There are a whole host of other issues to consider but if you have a good project team in place you should have a good handle on the project. Remember no system is every going to be perfect but it helps to set the foundation now for the work later.
Good luck.
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Jerry L. Foust, PhD
Collections & Facilities Manager
Dumbarton House/NSCDA
Washington DC
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-08-2018 10:43 AM
From: Tracy Bidwell
Subject: HVAC systems
Hello, Wise Ones.
Our museum is considering rolling the implementation of a new HVAC system into our 5 year strategic plan. I am interested in feedback from those of you who have overhauled your institution's HVAC systems, particularly in what challenges you faced going into the overhaul, what was successful/unsuccessful about your project, and what facility support you have for maintaining your system.
Thanks for any and all feedback. I appreciate you all so much as a resource.
Sincerely,
Tracy Bidwell
Chief Registrar
Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
University of Oklahoma
555 Elm Avenue
Norman, OK 73019
(405) 325-5388