Connecting to Collections Care

We are looking to purchase/install hygrometers to monitor the RH of several sites housing parts of our collection. Does anyone have experience with digital hygrometers that both measure RH and log the data? Any advice on best practices with regard to controlling humidity?

Thanks-- 

Dear Jake,

Monitoring and controlling relative humidity are very broad undertakings and the C2CC community can certainly offer guidance for both aspects.

For measuring your environmental values you would be looking into using some type of monitoring system. Choosing a datalogger can become very complex. There are many companies and products. Two companies that are generally used in the heritage sector are Hobo and Conserv. Both companies have excellent customer support and will discuss options with you directly. Please note this is not an endorsement of either company, but I can state that both have experience in our field.

For controlling relative humidity, there are a variety of options ranging from area solutions like a humidifier/ de-humidifier, to addressing the entire HVAC system of a building.

I realize that addressing any aspects of relative humidity in a storage area or building can feel like an insurmountable undertaking. The best approach is to break down your goals into segments. If you can send specific questions as they pertain to your collection it may be easier to give you a more useful response.

Feel free to send a more detailed narrative of what you are hoping to address.

Sincerely,

Luisa

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Luisa Casella
Independent Photograph Conservator

Original Message:
Sent: 12-04-2023 15:49
From: Jake Dean
Subject: Hygrometers

We are looking to purchase/install hygrometers to monitor the RH of several sites housing parts of our collection. Does anyone have experience with digital hygrometers that both measure RH and log the data? Any advice on best practices with regard to controlling humidity?

Thanks-- 

We are looking to purchase/install hygrometers to monitor the RH of several sites housing parts of our collection. Does anyone have experience with digital hygrometers that both measure RH and log the data? Any advice on best practices with regard to controlling humidity?

Thanks-- 

Hi Jake!

CCAHA has an environmental datalogger quick comparison chart that you may find helpful. It may be a little bit out of date in terms of pricing (2022), but will give you an idea of the options that are out there. In terms of controlling relative humidity, I would recommend that you check out some of IPI's resources. In particular, IPI's Guide to Sustainable Preservation Practices for Managing Storage Environments may be helpful to you as you embark on an environmental management program. 

Hope this helps!

Maddie 

We are looking to purchase/install hygrometers to monitor the RH of several sites housing parts of our collection. Does anyone have experience with digital hygrometers that both measure RH and log the data? Any advice on best practices with regard to controlling humidity?

Thanks-- 

We are looking to purchase/install hygrometers to monitor the RH of several sites housing parts of our collection. Does anyone have experience with digital hygrometers that both measure RH and log the data? Any advice on best practices with regard to controlling humidity?

Thanks--