Cellar coolers - The evolution of the species

The following article by Nigel Manning, Managing Director at Heronhill, was published in the January 2018 issue of ACR News magazine.

Fifty years ago, cellar cooling systems were predominantly refrigeration products with Prestcold and Searle having the industry sewn up, highly specified by the big breweries. This ubiquitous combination, being reliable products, had a large share of the market for many years.  

However, in those days, it was quite a challenge to even quote for a cellar cooler, let alone have to install one. You first had to select the right size evaporator and then find a condensing unit to suit - they were not matched systems in those days!  After deciding on the refrigerant, you then had to select the correct size expansion valve to suit the system, find the appropriate orifice and then a solenoid valve and coil, not forgetting a de-ice stat and thermostat. The condensing unit then would need to have an HP and LP switch fitted, as well as a sight glass, head pressure controller, an isolator and, last of all, a weatherproof housing for the condensing unit.   

Then, of course, the system would need to be installed - with the extra time of having to fit all those components, you wouldn't get away with installing a system in a day like you would now. The process was a work of art for some but it wasn't cost effective and it was only a matter of time before the market would open out with the introduction of packaged cellar cooling systems. These new kids on the block had all the components already fitted and were off readily available from your local supplier.

Initially 'Packaged' systems were frowned upon by fridge engineers, as they were concerned that the air conditioning manufacturers were encroaching on the hallowed ground of the refrigeration industry, and besides, what's wrong with making a louvred housing of your finest timber to protect your beloved condensing unit - a hutch rabbits would be proud of!

How times have changed!  Time is money so it's not surprising that cellar cooling equipment has evolved over the years to enable a more efficient and speedy installation. We may take it for granted but most of these components are now fitted as standard and the air conditioning 'packaged' concept has very much influenced the refrigeration industry, make an installation so much quicker and easier than before - some might say, making things too easy! 

Marstair and Tempair (Qualitair) were pioneers 40 years ago in simplifying the cellar cooling product and posed a real threat to the stranglehold Prestcold and Searle had in the market at the time. The equipment may have been basic, but was cheaper to buy and also much quicker to install and these cost savings were passed on to the independent pub landlords and breweries.

This increased competition from air conditioning products has greatly influenced the design and manufacture of refrigeration equipment over the years and most manufacturers have greatly refined their products accordingly with the outcome being more stylish, energy efficient, quieter systems fully 'dressed' with all the components fitted. With the ongoing development of inverter technology and more sophisticated controls, no doubt the two industries will continue to forge stronger links and develop together.

For supply of condensing units and all refrigeration equipment see our main website.

Looking after the Nation's treasures

Salter's Hall, courtesy DMFK/Jack Hobhouse

The following is an article written by Heronhill's Managing Director, Nigel Manning, published in the November 2017 edition of ACR News.

Maintaining a conditioned environment is critical to preserve the Nation's treasures in the Country’s museums and galleries. Whilst 40-60% RH is normally the optimum humidity for furniture and paintings in property such as National Trust stately homes, other artefacts stored in archives need more extreme conditions. This can be as low as 20-30% RH (film, for example) although some items benefit from being stored at 50-60% RH.

Books and documents can be severely damaged by not being kept at the correct temperature and relative humidity. The breakdown of cellulose in paper and other decay reactions constitute chemical damage. The rate of these reactions is affected by temperature and humidity levels and the speed of decay can be accelerated by warm and damp conditions. The problems experienced by not maintaining a stable environment can include mould, deterioration and warping.

Temperature levels

Whilst 16 to 20°C is normally the recommended temperature for items stored in museums, moderately fluctuating temperatures between 10 and 20°C is unlikely to adversely affect museum items. Rooms below 16°C become too uncomfortable for visitors, while anything below 10°C can cause condensation and affect relative humidity. However, temperatures above 20°C will be too hot for visitors and can accelerate degradation in museum objects. Storage areas in museums can be cooler than 16°C as they are not frequented by visitors but the items will need to acclimatise gradually between storage and display.

Applications

At Heronhill, we are proud to have been involved with many prestigious projects. Working closely with both consultants and contractors, we identify the specific conditions required by the museum or gallery and select the most appropriate system to meet the client’s needs.

Fort Cumberland

Fort Cumberland is a pentagonal artillery fortification erected to guard the entrance to Langstone Harbour, east of Portsmouth dockyard. It is widely recognised as the finest example of a bastion trace fort in England and houses the Royal Navy archives.

It is now used by Historic England for their archaeological archives where they needed to maintain 10 degrees C and 40% RH in one area and 15 degrees C and 50% RH in another. For the lower humidity application, we couldn't rely on just the refrigeration system to control the rooms so we used wall mounted  Munters desiccant dehumidifiers in conjunction with twin Cellarking systems matched to Marstair condensing units and operated by individual control panels.

Salter's Hall, courtesy DMFK/Jack Hobhouse

Salter’s Hall

When the Worshipful Company of Salters appointed M &E consultants Hoare Lea to draw up the mechanical and electrical specification for their £12 million refurbishment and extension of Salters Hall, Heronhill were specified to supply the equipment for both the wine store and archive room.

In order to meet the strict standards of BS 5454, the archive room needed to be maintained at 15 degrees C and 55% RH and a Marstair CD3 close control system, manufactured by TEV met the specification. Incorporated in 1394, many priceless artefacts owned by the livery company needed to be conserved. The equipment was installed by Iceberg Building Services

Henry Moore Foundation

Consultants Harley Haddow appointed M&E contractor Munro Building Services for this prestigious contract, which included an extensive suite of archives rooms operating at different conditions to suit the precious items and works of art. From newspaper cuttings and film to Henry Moore’s original drawings and negatives, it was critical that the correct temperature and humidity was maintained so a combination of chilled water and DX CD3 close control systems were specified, to be supplied by Heronhill. In the Negative cold store archive room, working on behalf of Munro, Adcocks installed a DX CD3 system which needed to maintain 7 degrees C. Henry Moore Foundation

Friary Court Studios

Within the confines of St James’s Palace, these studios employ a dedicated team of conservators who painstakingly preserve priceless works of art on behalf of the Royal Household. M & E consultants Environmental Engineering specified 2 x chilled water CD3 systems to ensure the working environment was maintained to protect the paintings whilst they are being restored. M&E contractor EV Bullen chose Heronhill to supply both systems and commission them to ensure they met with the Royal Household’s specification.

With such a diverse portfolio of products, Heronhill have been able to come up with a solution for the most difficult applications. As distributors for Nordmann humidifiers, we have been able to control humidity in many applications from museums and galleries to private art collections. In one such application, we provided 10 Nordmann humidifiers that were retrospectively fitted, in conjunction with a VRF system in a private house in Surrey. The client had a large collection of fine art, worth many millions of pounds, which was at risk of damage because of the high temperature being maintained by the VRF system. Fortunately, each Nordmann humidifier was able to fit alongside the chassis of each fan coil, discretely hidden behind hardwood panels and were able to increase the humidity to the desired condition to preserve the valuable artwork.

To compliment the Marstair, Quartz and Nordmann ranges, Heronhill also distributes Panasonic, Toshiba and Vapac so a system is available for most applications.