Museums and art galleries play a unique role – they protect cultural heritage while making it accessible to a wide audience. In order for this mission to be carried out effectively, it is necessary to create the right environmental conditions for the stored exhibits. Air temperature and humidity have a direct impact on the condition of works of art, which is why their constant monitoring has become one of the foundations of modern collection management.
Monitoring temperature and humidity is not just a technical solution today. It is a tool that provides real support to conservators, curators and managers of cultural institutions in their daily responsibility for the safety of exhibits.
Microclimate – an important factor in the protection of works of art
The materials used in works of art react to environmental changes more quickly than is often thought. Paper absorbs moisture, wood expands and contracts under the influence of temperature, and paint layers can crack or peel when exposed to sudden fluctuations. Importantly, the greatest threat is not only extreme values, but also regular, seemingly small changes that accumulate over time.
This is why it is so important that conditions in exhibition halls, collection storage areas and temporary exhibition spaces are constantly monitored, rather than controlled only on an ad hoc basis.
From reaction to prevention – the advantage of continuous monitoring
Traditional climate control methods often rely on manual measurements or periodic readings. In practice, this means gaps in data and a lack of knowledge about what is happening in the museum space outside of working hours. Meanwhile, an HVAC system failure at night or a sudden increase in humidity in the storage room can have serious consequences for the collection.
Remote temperature and humidity monitoring CoolSens allows you to switch from reactive to preventive mode. The system automatically records data around the clock and immediately notifies you when safe ranges are exceeded. This allows staff to take action before damage occurs.
The result of implementing monitoring is greater predictability and control over conditions, which in practice means:
- constant supervision of environmental conditions without the need for manual measurements,
- rapid notification of irregularities,
- access to up-to-date data from anywhere, thanks to the application and web platform.
What does the CoolSens monitoring system consist of?
Effective temperature and humidity monitoring requires the cooperation of several elements. The CoolSens system has been designed with cultural institutions in mind, combining high measurement precision with ease of use.
The solution is based on CoolSens Node wireless temperature and humidity sensors, which can be installed in exhibition rooms, collection storage rooms or display cases. The sensors automatically take measurements
and send the data to the CoolSens CloudHub data concentrator, without the need for staff intervention.
The collected information is sent to the cloud via the data hub and then to the CoolSens Cloud online platform and the dedicated CoolSens app, which can be easily downloaded from the Google Play store. Users can monitor environmental conditions in real time, analyse measurement history, set alarm thresholds and generate ready-made reports.
This combination of hardware and software provides constant control over the microclimate, working discreetly in the background of the daily work of a museum or gallery.
Effortless team support and documentation
Environmental monitoring significantly facilitates the daily work of museum teams. Conservators receive reliable historical data that helps them analyse changes in the condition of objects. Curators can be sure that the exhibition conditions meet the requirements of specific works, and those managing the institution can easily prepare reports
and summaries.
This is particularly important in the context of audits, inspections or international cooperation, where documentation of the storage conditions of collections is often required.
The CoolSens solution enables, among other things:
- archiving of measurement data,
- creation of reports for inspection and conservation purposes,
- confirmation of compliance with guidelines and standards.
Visitor comfort as an added value
Stable environmental conditions affect not only the objects, but also the visitors’ perception of the exhibition. The right temperature and humidity improve the comfort of the exhibition space, which translates into longer visiting times and a better visitor experience. A well-designed microclimate works discreetly but effectively – supporting both the protection of collections and the quality of the audience’s experience.
Investing in the future of the collection
Monitoring temperature and humidity in museums and art galleries is an investment that pays off in the long term. Early detection of irregularities reduces the risk of costly conservation work and protects objects
of unique historical value.
Modern monitoring systems, such as the CoolSens solution, show that technology can effectively support the protection of cultural heritage – without interfering with the character of the space and without burdening the team with additional responsibilities.
