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What is Climate Control?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

In various forms of industry parts or whole machines could need to be produced under particular temperature and other specifications. Similarly, storage of certain products might be necessary in what are called controlled environments. The effort to make certain that production or storage of things produced meets certain specifications is called climate control, and there are many industries in which the climate must be kept within a defined range so that products remain workable or are superior in quality.

For example, in many of the large wineries, there is concern about how to store wine during and after its fermentation process. This is often conducted on a direct level, where temperature and others aspects like humidity are controlled from within wine storage or fermenting devices, such as steel tanks. Preventing these environments from getting too hot or too cold is thought to create better wine and prevent spoilage.

Climate controlled rooms eliminate contaminants during the production of microchips.
Climate controlled rooms eliminate contaminants during the production of microchips.

After fermentation processes are complete or if they take place in the bottle, the winery must turn it thoughts to the best way to control quality of the wine through exterior temperature. They may want wine stored in at least semi-cool environments that lack humidity. Wineries that keep their wine on site might build vast rooms for storage, where climate control is utilized to retain optimum temperature for aging or for storing until shipping.

Climate control systems are part of the building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and are typically installed and maintained by specialty contractors.
Climate control systems are part of the building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and are typically installed and maintained by specialty contractors.

There are many other businesses that need some type of climate control. One strong need in building many computer parts is creating cool and dust-free environments that help to produce the best microchips, processors or assemble whole computers. Normally such a control is achieved by using HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) systems that have acute sensors. These sensors, when adequate for building or room size, help to automatically adjust as temperature and/or moisture level in the room shifts, maintaining the desired climate control thought most appropriate by the business.

Some climate control systems aim to control humidity.
Some climate control systems aim to control humidity.

While building things in an environment with climate control can be desirable from a manufacturing point of view, there is usually more than one factor that must be considered. People must often work in the climate-controlled environment and deciding optimum climate has to take account how people will respond to it. Any production or storage of something that needs excessive heat or cold could be difficult for workers.

Steel fermenting tanks often have their own climate control tools.
Steel fermenting tanks often have their own climate control tools.

Companies can go in several directions on this issue. They might limit time in very non-habitable climate control environments or they could provide some form of protective clothing that can be worn while people work in these environments. For instance, the diver who feeds fish at the aquarium wears special clothing to do this, which means he can breathe underwater and won’t get chilled if the water is set to an optimum temperature for a certain type of fish. People who work in assembly in cooler temperatures might need to wear warmer clothing and gloves to work, so they can continue to work efficiently in a climate that is not very comfortable for humans.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent AboutMechanics contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent AboutMechanics contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments

anon269342

The American Association of Museum's recommended guidelines are: 50 percent relative humidity (+/- 5%) and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (+/- 5 degrees).

aplenty

@ Chicada- Besides making sure your art storage area has a good climate control system, you also need to take steps to protect your art from bugs and spores. Bugs are especially attracted to art because many of the archival quality glues and mattings available are made from rice starch. This starch is a magnet for bugs in search of food, and you may find that they are eating the value right out of your art.

You should also take steps to protect your pieces form sunlight, although do not cover your pieces with plastic bags or black trash bags. These coverings will trap moisture, leading to mold and mildew spores, which are costly to remove. If you are planning to store your art for a long period, you should contact a professional framer or a gallery to ask about storage needs for different mediums.

Amphibious54

@ Chicada- Fine art should always be stored in bug free, climate controlled rooms and storage areas. The climate control in your storage area should keep the temperature below 72 and the humidity between 10-25%. Ideally, when you hang the paintings in your house, you should keep them away from areas where temperature and humidity fluctuations are a problem. Displaying your art in a kitchen, bathroom or other high heat, high humidity area is unwise unless they are specially framed.

chicada

I am an art collector, and I want to know what the best home climate control methods are to keep my artwork in the most pristine conditions. What are the ideal temperature and humidity conditions for storing artwork?

Most of the art is painted on paper. The pieces are mostly watercolors, acrylics, and sketches. I do have a few numbered and signed lithographs as well. Thanks to anyone who can give me an answer.

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    • Climate controlled rooms eliminate contaminants during the production of microchips.
      By: Edelweiss
      Climate controlled rooms eliminate contaminants during the production of microchips.
    • Climate control systems are part of the building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and are typically installed and maintained by specialty contractors.
      By: mertcan
      Climate control systems are part of the building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and are typically installed and maintained by specialty contractors.
    • Some climate control systems aim to control humidity.
      By: Are Barstad
      Some climate control systems aim to control humidity.
    • Steel fermenting tanks often have their own climate control tools.
      By: Pavel Losevsky
      Steel fermenting tanks often have their own climate control tools.