Integrated microclimatic monitoring and diagnostic testing for heritage conservation: A case study of the Tempio Canoviano in Possagno (Italy)

This study investigates the compliance of thermo-hygrometric conditions in the Tempio Canoviano in Possagno (Italy) with two key conservation standards: UNI 10829:1999 and EN 15757:2010. Monitoring was carried out between June 2022 and August 2024 using sensors placed in zones identified as most critical from a microclimatic and conservation perspective. The analysis compares results derived from the two standards, highlighting the need for a unified and consistent framework for assessing conservation risks to sensitive artefacts housed in historic environments. To enrich the interpretation of the environmental data, the study integrates diagnostic investigations that provide insight into the building’s thermal and energy behavior. This combined approach offers a replicable methodological framework for preventive conservation in heritage contexts. Findings reveal that EN 15757:2010—being more recent and aligned with a historical climate-based perspective consistent with international guidelines such as those from ASHRAE—reports significantly fewer hours outside acceptable ranges compared to UNI 10829:1999. This is due to its emphasis on maintaining long-term climatic stability rather than absolute thresholds. As a result, the assessment of conservation risk for cultural artefacts within the Tempio Canoviano varies considerably depending on the standard applied.