Computational modelling of the impact of climate change on the indoor environment of a historic building in the Netherlands

The damage potential of climate change on the indoor environment of a historic building in the Netherlands has been analysed. An indoor climate simulation model has been created and validated with on-site measurements. In combination with weather data from a future climate scenario, the simulation model is able to generate a prediction of the impact of climate change on the indoor environment. The indoor environment has been assessed based on ASHRAE guidelines for museum collections and the annual energy demand for heating and cooling has been calculated. The results show that from 2000 until 2099, both the indoor air temperature and relative humidity in unheated rooms will increase. The impact of climate change on hourly and daily fluctuations of temperature and relative humidity seems relatively low. In heated rooms, the energy demand for heating systems is considerably reduced, while the energy demand for cooling slightly increases