One area that has provided many challenging opportunities in the HVAC industry is the restoration of many of our historic structures. This is not an opportunity for those who want to get in and get out and make a fast return. In fact, many of these projects can last for months and one must be extremely careful in knowing how to successfully succeed in these specialized projects. Many contracts must be open ended. The majority of these projects can be very labor intensive and require much patience. For example, attempting to find a specific style of radiator, air diffuser, or a simple radiator valve or something not readily available can take weeks. These projects require a certain type of tradesperson that enjoys and appreciates these historic ventures and the challenges encountered almost on a daily basis. Naturally, the standard electrical and plumbing codes apply. However, the major challenge is to carry out the work so that, when the project is completed, there are no obvious indications you were even in the building. This is how one earns a positive reputation. As if this isn’t difficult enough, in the majority of cases funds are limited and contractors are expected to treat their customers accordingly. Good communication is very important and monthly billing keeps everybody up to date with no surprises. Many contractors are hired based on their reputation and past performance and not necessarily on price. In the past three years, I have been consulted in over forty energy related projects dealing with heating and ventilation and problems dealing with the upgrading of the building envelope.
It took special care to preserve the interior while installing in-floor heating. (All photos by Art Irwin)
In this recent example, I was contacted by the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and was asked if I would volunteer my services to supervise the restoration of a beautiful historic gem, St. Margaret of Scotland at Oakfield, Anglican Church. The main focus was to make the structure more energy efficient and to design a heating system that was affordable, quiet and to provide comfort, something that was non-existent in the past.
A bit of history
In 1861 an Englishman, Lieut. General John Wimburn Laurie, arrived in Halifax. In 1866 he bought 800 acres of land and brought twenty families from England. Very soon a school, houses, church, railway siding, stagecoach inn and two quarries were built. A herd of purebred Devon cattle soon followed. Modeled after an old English tradition, the church was built as a private chapel on the estate for the family and servants. Oakfield, located on the old Halifax to Truro highway, was soon regarded as one of our most successful early settlements.
Direct venting resulted in minimal impact on the church’s exterior appearance.
Where do we begin?
Thankfully, the subject of where to start was easy because the decision was already established. The original church floor, built over a crawl space collapsed during a funeral and this is where we began. We immediately jumped from 1866 technology to the present. We filled in the crawl space and poured a new concrete insulated slab with in-floor heating. The existing heating system consisted of a small electric furnace that was under sized and, because of the blower noise, could not be used during a church service. This meant coming to a cold church and leaving a cold church. We were very limited with space and a very small room projecting towards the back was the only option for a boiler location. I knew a stainless steel pre fabricated chimney was out of the question as the church would very quickly lose its Heritage designation. The term “direct vent” suddenly appeared from above and I then realized this would be the obvious solution. I contacted Dave Wilson, owner of Kerr Controls Limited in Truro and he very kindly donated a Kerr Comet boiler and a Riello BF burner. This particular burner, manufactured for this purpose, is very quiet and the light-off process is simply a hush! Antifreeze was used in the system, allowing a lower temperature to be maintained and to protect the system in the event of a power failure. Water to mix with the anti-freeze had to be trucked in as there was no well within a kilometer or two. A new well has since been dug.
Direct venting resulted in minimal impact on the church’s exterior appearance.
The building envelope
When sitting on a church pew, which consisted of 2” x 15” wide pine planks, it quickly became apparent that all restoration of the building envelope must be performed from the exterior. The very attractive stained wainscoting could not be disturbed. The framing consisted of 3”x 6” vertical studs with horizontal framing mitered into the exterior of the studs. This arrangement was to accommodate the 12” x 1 3/8” rough sawn vertical boarding material. Cellulose insulation was blown into the existing wall cavity and the holes plugged. Tyvek was then installed as an air barrier, wood furring strips were then installed on a 45 degree angle to prevent any possible build up of moisture and permitting it to drain freely. New 12” x 1 3/8” rough sawn lumber was custom milled and nailed in place with stainless steel nails to prevent any metal bleeding on the new wood. White linseed penetrating stain finished the project. Our efforts were and remain “out of sight, out of mind.” Interestingly, all of the lumber used in the construction of St. Margaret of Scotland was milled from logs on the property. It is often referred to as ‘The Chapel In The Pines’
Once completed, St. Margaret of Scotland at Oakfield Church looks just as did when built.
Increased activity
At the time of my involvement, the intent was to hold services for special celebrations, but services are now held every Sunday morning. There is a certain warmth (pardon the pun) and charm that exists within these walls that makes you wonder how the trades people of that era created such wonderful end results. There were no chain saws, no power tools, no Tim Hortons nor any of the other “modern conveniences” that we struggle with on a daily basis!
