Humidity Explained
How a humidity control system works
A humidity control system both humidifies and dehumidifies your piano works by maintaining a 45% humidity level.
It is controlled by an automatic humidistat which is like a thermostat but it operates only on humidity.
In summer when the humidity level is above 45% the humidistat senses it and calls for dehumidification. A dehumidifier rod in the piano removes moisture from the air. Keep it plugged in and it automatically does its job.
In winter below 45% the humidistat calls for humidity. The user adds water to the system through the fill tube, which goes into a humidifier reservoir and is wicked over humidifier pads that need to be changed once a year when the piano is tuned.
It is controlled by an automatic humidistat which is like a thermostat but it operates only on humidity.
In summer when the humidity level is above 45% the humidistat senses it and calls for dehumidification. A dehumidifier rod in the piano removes moisture from the air. Keep it plugged in and it automatically does its job.
In winter below 45% the humidistat calls for humidity. The user adds water to the system through the fill tube, which goes into a humidifier reservoir and is wicked over humidifier pads that need to be changed once a year when the piano is tuned.
I have a humidifier on my furnace and run AC in the summer is that enough?
Whole house Humidifiers and air conditioners work to maintain a desired temperature, regardless of the humidity level. Most air conditioners in a house are unable to reduce the humidity level to lower than 60% which is going to impact the piano.
It is difficult at -35 to have a house system capable of keeping up without frosting all of the windows over.
Occasionally the whole house humidifier system may fail and the piano drifting out of tune is the symptom.
The real test is if your whole house air conditioner and furnace are keeping the indoor humidity stable the pitch of your piano will not go sharp or flat with the weather changes.
It is difficult at -35 to have a house system capable of keeping up without frosting all of the windows over.
Occasionally the whole house humidifier system may fail and the piano drifting out of tune is the symptom.
The real test is if your whole house air conditioner and furnace are keeping the indoor humidity stable the pitch of your piano will not go sharp or flat with the weather changes.
A special note about schools and churches
Public buildings are required to have more airflow than in a residential house. The greater the airflow, the quicker humidity's effect takes place. In situations like this, for a grand piano an undercover may be recommended to enclose the moisture produced by the humidity system between the bottom of the piano and the bottom of the soundboard. Some times a dual tank humidifier system or an extra dehumidifier rod is needed to maintain the correct humidity level at the most extreme times of the year.
Client Success Stories
These tuning records are from a church with a Yamaha C7 grand piano
Without humidity control they were tuning 5-8 times a year.
We installed a double tank dampp chaser system with an undercover.
Now they are tuning once a year and enjoy a stable instrument year round.
Without humidity control they were tuning 5-8 times a year.
We installed a double tank dampp chaser system with an undercover.
Now they are tuning once a year and enjoy a stable instrument year round.
We are a certified humidity system installation specialist. Your system is installed correctly and comes with a limited 5 year warranty from the Dampp Chaser Corporation.
Ask if a humidity system is right for your piano.
Ask if a humidity system is right for your piano.
System types and costs
Installed the upright humidity control system is $600 plus sales tax
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Installed the grand single tank humidity control System is $700 plus sales tax
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Be a steward and maintain the system
There is a light panel which indicates when the piano needs water. This is like a low gas light so if you would not want to run out of gas on 35W in a traffic jam, you need to stop and fill the system. Failing to add water when it is called for in winter leaves the piano in a state where as soon as the moisture content of the soundboard changes your present tuning can be lost. Generally clients notice the system light blinking after the wake up in the morning or when they return home.
If you take care of the system, it will take care of your piano.
Leave it plugged in year round
It dehumidifies automatically in summer and humidifies in winter.
If you unplug the system your entire piano is unprotected.
Once installed your piano will still need annual tunings and your piano technician will need to change the humidifier pads on the humidifier system.
If you take care of the system, it will take care of your piano.
Leave it plugged in year round
It dehumidifies automatically in summer and humidifies in winter.
If you unplug the system your entire piano is unprotected.
Once installed your piano will still need annual tunings and your piano technician will need to change the humidifier pads on the humidifier system.
Questions
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All Photos and graphs on this page are used with permission of the Dampp Chaser corporation.