In Europe many historic buildings use direct electric heating. Air-to-air heat pumps are an interesting alternative, in particular for conservation heating.  However, the convective heating may accelerate soiling of walls and artefacts by increasing the velocity and turbulence.

The objective of the present paper is to discuss the general problem, the methodology for studying air motions and temperature distribution, and to present the results from a case study where air-to-air heat pumps and bench heaters were used for heating in a medieval church. The temperatures, velocities and humidity in the church have been measured for four different heating modes.

The present study does not indicate any major disadvantages of using heat pumps for background heating in stone churches of the studied kind. More detailed long term studies are needed to ascertain the effects over time.