The Temperierung heating systems as a retrofitting tool for the preventive conservation of historic museums buildings and exhibits

• Types and application of Temperierung heating in museums.
• Temperierung as a self-content heating system.
• Introduction of methodical approach on conservational investigations.
• Temperierung as a compatible solution for retrofitting of historic buildings.
• Example on case study Museum Oberammergau.

Temperierung refers basically to wall heating through pipes mounted in or on the inside of the walls. In the context of heritage preservation the Temperierung system was mainly developed by the State Office for Non-State Museums in Bavaria for heating and climatization of museums and exhibit buildings. Based on the ongoing research project “Temperierung as a Tool for Preventive Conservation—An Assessment” a close and interdisciplinary collaboration is established between building physicists, conservators and practitioners from 18 selected museums. The paper highlights the different existing Temperierung systems within the project, main components of the system and different types of application. The main principles of the technique are explained and compared to more commonly known heating systems like convector/radiator heating and wall/floor heating. Preliminary results of the measured indoor climate and effects of the Temperierung heating system of several chosen museums are presented. The impacts of the indoor climate to the conservation of artifacts, influenced by Temperierung heating, are discussed with typical methods of indoor climate assessment and with conservational assessment. The detailed and neutral description of Temperierung heating gives a basis for planners and persons in charge for retrofitting historical museum buildings.