Air conditioning and humidity in museums: why the protection of artworks can rely on more sustainable solutions.

The management of temperature and humidity in museum spaces is now at the center of an increasingly urgent reflection. The article “Climatisation et hygrométrie: les musées ne sont pas neutres”, published in L’Hebdo du Quotidien de l’Art and shared by ICOM France, emphasizes how the climatic standards applied to museums must evolve to meet contemporary environmental challenges, without compromising the preservation of artworks.

For decades, the protection of cultural heritage has relied on rigid and standardized climatic parameters. Today, however, the climate emergency and the high energy consumption of traditional air conditioning systems demand a paradigm shift: no longer an “absolute” control of the climate, but a more flexible, contextualized, and sustainable management that can limit harmful fluctuations for the artworks.

A new approach: climatic stability instead of forced air conditioning

The program “Prenons le contrôle du climat!”, promoted within ICOM, represents a concrete example of this transition. The goal is to encourage more sober practices adapted to local climatic realities and the characteristics of historic buildings, prioritizing the stability of humidity and temperature over energy-intensive systems that seek to impose constant artificial conditions.It is precisely in this context that the philosophy of Propadyn Museart fits in.

Propadyn Museart is designed to protect artworks from humidity fluctuations, one of the main causes of degradation of sensitive materials such as wood, canvas, paper, and composite materials.
Acting as a humidity stabilizer, Propadyn Museart maintains a stable and controlled hygrometric level, reducing mechanical and chemical stress on the artworks, even in environments subject to climatic variations.

This technology allows to:

• limit damage caused by temperature and humidity fluctuations;
• reduce dependence on heavy and energy-intensive air conditioning systems;
• ensure reliable protection in display cases, storage, transport, and complex museum spaces, where climatic flexibility is a key factor.

Preserve better, consume less

The reflection initiated by ICOM France highlights how the ecological transition of museums also involves technical solutions designed not only for the building but especially for the artworks and their conservation environment.

In this scenario, Propadyn Museart represents a concrete response to the new needs of preventive conservation: protecting artistic heritage from climatic fluctuations, improving the sustainability of museum practices, and contributing to a more responsible balance between protection, environment, and energy.