Tips and tricks for new computer user

Take measurements of the temperature and humidity throughout the building for 90 days. Move to different parts of the building. Record the location, temperature and humidity to give you a better idea of what you’re working with.

Place humidity indicator strips or digital humidity sensors in various spots throughout the building. Purchase a psychrometer to measure relative humidity.

Schedule regular building maintenance. Seal cracks immediately. Wet mop and wax the floors every 48 hours to prevent dust buildup. Vacuum the carpets several nights a week.

Weather-strip doors and windows. Seal inside windows with tape and plastic. Caulk cracks in linoleum and brick in which water vapor has been shown to gather.

Use wallboard in storage rooms and those rooms that aren’t accessed very often to seal up air holes and air leaks.

Replace standard ventilation filters with fiberglass filters or pleated filters. Consult the HVAC systems specialist that you work with to be sure that the filters you are using provide the correct pressure drop for the HVAC system you are running.

Install ventilation systems that promote the movement of air throughout the building and avoid dead zones in which stagnant air just stays in one area.

Remove all dirt and debris from the return air plenum. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes this area as the space above ceiling tiles. Follow state and federal guidelines that restrict materials in this area that could interfere with airflow.

Establish a set point for your building’s temperature. Take into account the things you will store and the number of people going in and out of the building. Account for the regional weather patterns. Sheryl Ogden, head of conservation at the Minnesota Historical Society, advises that “A frequent recommendation is a stable temperature no higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a stable relative humidity between a minimum of 30 percent and a maximum of 50 percent.”

Turn up the heat to decrease relative humidity and turn it down to increase it. Maintain relative humidity below 60 percent. The EPA explains that you could be fostering the proliferation of mold and dust mites if you allow the humidity to go above 60 percent.

Never turn your system off. Maintain the same temperatures throughout the year. Don’t try to save money by turning your system down at night.

Record temperature and relative humidity settings in a journal to verify that the equipment works properly and ensure that the conditions in the building or the materials you are trying to protect don't degrade further.