Over our heads

On a cold sunny day in January 2024 we said farewell to the massive air conditioning plant on the roof.   This is part of our programme to reduce power consumption  and we have freed up space to install solar panels later. 

We have been working with expert Nick Grant (Elemental Solutions) to ensure our strongrooms remain at the correct temperature and humidity.  Indeed in recent times we found it easier to achieve the correct levels in our passive strongrooms than strongrooms 1 and 7 which benefited from air conditioning.   As part of this work we have upgraded the heating in the research room and tracked down the reason for recent rain drips – the resident herring gulls had pecked holes allowing rainwater to penetrate.

Thank you to our researchers and Hub partners for coping with the temporary disruption whilst this work was completed.