Climate control in historic buildings in Denmark

In many historic buildings, conservation heating has been used to control the RH in winter. Heat pumps are much more energy efficient than direct electric heating, so this technology may be adapted for climate control. Dehumidification has not been regarded as appropriate for historic buildings due to poor regulation, but recent development in electronic hygrostats makes this technology an attractive alternative. The annual energy consumption for both control strategies was calculated from statistical meteorological data for Denmark. The most energy efficient control strategy is determined by the U-value of the building, the air exchange rate and the volume. For large buildings conservation heating with heat pump technology seems to be the most energy efficient, unless the thermal insulation is very poor. For small buildings dehumidification is more efficient unless the building is very leaky. The two strategies for climate control were tested in historic houses owned by the National Museum in Denmark and used for exhibition only in the summer season. Kommandørgården has an uncontrolled climate in summer due to open doors in the opening hours. In winter the RH is controlled to 60-70% by hygrostatic heating. Liselund is an 18th century mansion located in a romantic garden on the island Møn at the Baltic Sea. The house is open only for guided tours in the summer, and the RH is controlled all year by dehumidification