Case Study

Preserving History at A Top Public University

Overview

A top 25 public university maintains a vital repository for an archival collection that includes rare books that are well over a century old. In the volatile climate of northern Florida, maintaining precise environmental conditions is not just a preference—it is a requirement for the survival of irreplaceable historical assets.

The Challenge: Humidity and Mold Growth

Prior to the intervention, the facility relied on standard DX equipment that struggled to manage the latent load, particularly during humid summers and frequent afternoon rainstorms. This inconsistency led to several critical failures:

  • $Recurring Mold Outbreaks: High humidity levels triggered mold growth on the book covers and pages.
  • $Labor-Intensive Remediation: On multiple occasions, staff were forced to manually wipe down over 3,000 books per shelf to prevent permanent damage.
  • $System Limitations: No previous HVAC solution could maintain the strict dew point required to stabilize the archival environment year-round.

The Mojave Solution

In January 2025, the university installed a Mojave ADA-025 Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS). at the repository building. The unit was specifically selected for its superior moisture removal efficiency and its ability to handle 100% outdoor air.

Project Specifications:

  • Unit Model: ADA-025C
  • Airflow: 2,100 CFM (100% Outdoor Air)
  • Moisture Removal Rate: 138 lb/hr
  • Efficiency: 10.7 ISMRE (Integrated Seasonal Moisture Removal Efficiency)
  • Supply Conditions: Delivering 68°F DB at a 50°F Dew Point.
FSU Case Study Mojave HVAC

Summary

The Results

Since the installation, the Commonwealth Building has achieved unprecedented climate stability. For the first time, the facility maintains 68°F heating and 70°F cooling with a consistent 50°F dew point year-round, regardless of external weather spikes.

Tallahassee chart

By successfully decoupling the sensible and latent loads, the Mojave unit has eliminated the threat of mold, protected thousands of rare volumes, and removed the significant operational burden of manual book cleaning from the university staff.

“The Mojave unit has completely transformed how FSU manages its most sensitive environments. It provides the most precise humidity control we’ve seen, maintaining a rock-solid 50-degree dew point even through the worst Florida summer storms. It’s easily the best operating DOAS on campus.”

— Keith, Tom Barrow Company