Preserving the Heurich House: Heating & Cooling Systems

When the Heurich House was built in 1894, its heating system relied on a coal-powered boiler that produced steam, which would then run throughout the house into radiators. There was no official cooling system beyond window shutters to block out the sun. Luckily for them, the Heurich family spent most summers traveling or at their farm in Hyattsville, Maryland. We don’t know how the domestic staff who remained at the house dealt with the DC summer heat. 

The house’s heating and cooling system has been upgraded throughout the years, moving from the coal system to a gas-powered boiler, to a gas furnace, to electric heaters. The current system dates to 2004, when a modern HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling) system was installed in the house’s former elevator shaft. 

While the modern HVAC system is much better than a coal boiler, 2004 was over 20 years ago, and the system has reached the end of its lifespan. Additionally, the areas served by each HVAC unit are limited to only where the hot or cold air can naturally reach, because we don’t want to run modern ducting or vents through the historic spaces. This means that some historic rooms, and the entire basement, have limited air circulation and temperature control. The problem is exacerbated by aging window frames that do not properly seal, allowing cold air and moisture into the house. 

Being unable to properly control the house’s humidity and temperature causes preservation concerns for our historic furniture, tapestries, and art, along with discomfort for staff and visitors. We are taking the first step to resolve this issue by working with a team of architects and engineers to determine the problem scope and plan next steps to address it.