Caring for the church begins with understanding its environment
Churches are used in different ways throughout the year. Services, concerts, and other activities affect the conditions in the building, while the need for heating and ventilation varies depending on the season and how the premises are used.
By measuring and monitoring temperature, relative humidity, and other conditions in the church, you gain a better basis for inspection, maintenance, and follow-up. This allows you to detect changes and take measures to preserve the building and its artifacts, contribute to a good environment for visitors, and work more efficiently with heating and energy use.
What is important to measure?
In a church, several aspects of the environment need to be monitored. This can involve temperature and humidity in the sanctuary, conditions affecting sensitive artifacts and textiles, or moisture in the building’s structures. Different types of measurement require different methods and instruments, depending on what is to be checked.
The church climate
Temperature and relative humidity can vary both over time and between different parts of the church. Therefore, it is important to measure at locations that provide a relevant picture of the climate. In the sanctuary, there may also be local microclimates where conditions differ from the rest of the room. For example, under pews or behind altarpieces and
other artifacts placed against an exterior wall.
Example solution: Instruments and data loggers for measuring and monitoring temperature and relative humidity.
Suitable products: Celsicom T600, Celsicom TH600, testo 174, testo 160, testo 625
Sensitive artifacts and textiles
Textiles, paintings, and other artifacts are often sensitive to moisture and can be affected by the climate in their surroundings. Therefore, it can be valuable to monitor temperature and relative humidity in, for example, the sacristy, textile storage, and other spaces with sensitive objects.
Example solution: Measurement of temperature and humidity where artifacts are stored or used.
Suitable products: Celsicom TH600, testo 174, testo 625
Moisture in the building
Moisture can enter the church building in several ways, such as through precipitation, ground moisture, or leaks. Excessive moisture can lead to mold and other microbial growth and cause damage to the building and its materials. By checking and monitoring moisture conditions, it is possible to detect early signs of problems and gain a better basis for implementing the right measures.
Example solution: Moisture meters for checking moisture content in wood, as well as measuring air humidity.
Suitable products: Celsicom MM611B, testo 606-2, testo 625
The climate at the organ
The organ is sensitive to the climate around it. Since warm air rises, the temperature can be higher in the upper parts of the sanctuary, where the organ is often located. This can increase the risk of drying damage, making it important to monitor temperature and relative humidity at the organ.
Suitable products: Celsicom TH600, testo 174
Self-monitoring and documentation
Regular and structured checks make it easier to detect changes and signs of problems in time. With clear routines for what should be checked and documented, it also becomes easier to follow up on the various parts of the church in a consistent manner. By combining inspection with measurement and documentation, you gain a better basis for comparing previous observations and measured values and determining when something needs to be investigated or addressed.
Measurement solutions for a controlled climate
Climate monitoring and data logging
With data loggers, you can monitor temperature and relative humidity continuously and see how the climate changes over time. This provides a better picture of variations than individual measurements and makes it easier to detect deviations. With connected solutions, measured values can also be monitored remotely and alarms sent when set limit values are exceeded.
Ventilation and airflows
Ventilation is an important part of the church’s indoor climate. Well-functioning ventilation helps to remove moisture and contributes to a good climate in the building. By measuring airflows, you can check how the ventilation is working and detect changes that need to be followed up.
CO₂ and indoor climate
When many people are present in, for example, the sanctuary or parish hall, the indoor climate can change. By measuring CO₂, temperature, and relative humidity, you gain a better picture of the indoor climate and how it varies during services, concerts, and other activities.
Measurement instruments for church needs
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testo 608-H2 – hygrometer with alarm
1 525 SKU 0560 6082Hygrometer with alarm, dew point calculation (td) and display of max/min values.
- 0...100 %RH, -10... 70°C
- Long-term stable moisture sensor that resists condensation
- LED alarm, warns if limit values are exceeded
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Celsicom T600 – internal temperature sensor
2 895 SKU 7290 6000Directly connected temperature monitoring with data logger for e.g. climate rooms, heat adjustment, etc.
- Internal ambient temperature sensor
- Measurement range: -30°C to +70°C
- Low price on unlimited cloud storage
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Celsicom TH600 – internal temperature and humidity sensor
2 995 SKU 7260 6000Directly connected moisture and temperature monitoring
- Internal moisture and temperature sensor
- Measuring range: -30°C ... +70°C, 0 ... 100 %RH
- Low price on unlimited cloud storage
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Celsicom MM611B – moisture sensor with 1.2 m cable
4 250 SKU 7260 6110Directly connected remote monitoring of humidity level
- Monitor moisture levels remotely on your phone, computer or tablet.
- Adjustable measurement curve for pine, spruce or WME
- Low price on unlimited cloud storage
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testo 606-2 – combination instrument
2 530 SKU 0560 6062Combi instrument - measures both moisture content and humidity levels
- Accurate material moisture measurement in wood and building materials with characteristic curves
- Robust measuring pin
- Long-term stable moisture sensor from Testo
- Accuracy of 2,5 %RH
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testo 174 H BT – mini moisture logger with Bluetooth
1 450 SKU 0572 1743 02 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageAdvantages of this moisture logger:
- Readout of data via Bluetooth without measurement interruption
- Free app for all measurement data management
- Measuring range from -20 °C to +70 °C
- Moisture sensor with accuracy of ±3%RH
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testo 925 – temperature meter type K
1 465 SKU 0563 0925Robust and reliable temperature meter for many applications (replaces previous model of the same name).
- Fast measurement with thermocouple sensor(1 TE sensor type K included).
- Settings, measurement data, graphs and mobile as second screen with the testo Smart app.
- Wide range of applications thanks to large measuring range: -50 °C to +1000 °C.
- Wide range of sensors and can be used with other Type K thermocouple sensors on the market.
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testo 625 – moisture and temperature meter
3 015 SKU 0563 1625Compact moisture and temperature meter for checking indoor air quality in different spaces.
- Fast measurement of both relative humidity and air temperature.
- Calculation of dew point and wet bulb temperature.
- Settings, measurement data, graphs and the mobile as a second screen with the testo Smart app.
- An audible alarm warns if any limit value is exceeded.
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New!testo 162 H1 – WiFi data logger for temperature and humidity
4 180 SKU 0572 1624Automatic monitoring of humidity and temperature via WiFi connection (replaces testo Saveris 2 H1)
- Internal sensor for humidity and temperature
- Measuring range: -30 ... +50 °C and 0 ... 100 % RH
- Exceeded limits are reported immediately via pushnotis or e-mail
- Storing measurement data in the cloud service - accessible anytime, anywhere
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Celsicom THC600B – internal sensor for temperature, humidity, air pressure and CO2
5 495 SKU 7240 6001Directly connected CO2, air pressure, humidity and temperature monitoring
- Internal sensors for carbon dioxide, air pressure, humidity and temperature
- Measuring range: 0–10000 ppm CO2, -30 to +70°C, 800–1260 mbar absolute pressure, 0–100 %RH
- Low price on unlimited cloud storage
Celsicom – monitor the climate over time
With Celsicom, you can monitor temperature and humidity remotely and see how values change over time in churches and other cultural buildings. This provides a better basis for monitoring the indoor climate, caring for sensitive artifacts, planning heating, and optimizing energy use.
Measurement in practice
Climate monitoring in several churches
The Church of Sweden, Örebro pastorate, uses Celsicom to monitor temperature and humidity in churches and other buildings. Measured values and alarms give the facility technicians better control over the indoor climate and heating.
Prevent moisture damage with the right measurement
Moisture can cause damage to church buildings, artifacts, and textiles without the problems always being immediately visible. Read more about where moisture risks can arise and how measuring temperature, humidity, and moisture content can contribute to better control.
Do you need help finding the right measurement solution?
Do you have questions about measurement in churches or do you need help choosing the right instrument or measurement system? Contact us via the form and we will help you find a solution that fits your needs.
Or call our switchboard at 031-704 10 70.
Ask us
Accredited calibration
We offer lab and field calibration of measuring equipment from all brands. We are accredited for the calibration of temperature, humidity, over/under pressure and differential pressure.
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