Treating a piano like a member of your family isn’t fanciful exaggeration. Taking attentive care about an instrument is a recommended attitude to pianos. They are complex constructions made of over 5 000 elements needing special conditions to work properly for long years. Uprights and grands usually are an expensive investment, so it is very important to make sure they maintain their value. And to achieve this, humidity control system has been invented.
CONSTRUCTION
Humidity control system is a simple system generally made of three connected elements. These are:
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a hygrometer
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a humidifier
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dehumidifiers
Legend:
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Watering tube |
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Humidifier |
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Dehumidifier |
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Light panel |
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Humidistat |
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
This system is installed inside the piano. Therefore, it is impossible to see it without removing the bottom door of a vertical piano or looking underneath the soundboard of a grand piano. Wires are the only items that might be visible, because humidity control system uses electricity. The operating principle is simple. The hygrometer constantly measures a humidity level and if it is too high, the dryer is turned on. But when it is too dry, the humidifier starts working. As a result, the humidity level suitable for pianos is kept constant. The proper humidity level for both verticals and grands oscilates between 45% and 60%.
COMPARISON
In comparison to humidity room humidifiers/dehumidifiers the humidity control system for pianos turns out to be much more beneficial. The table below illustrates the effectiveness of the humidity control system:
Installing the humidity control system is a relatively new procedure applied in pianos and grand pianos. Nowadays it is not too popular among piano users but considering all its benefits, one can foresee a gradual change in this respect. People learn from mistakes. Harmfulness of too dry or too wet air for pianos may be compared to harmfulness of smoking cigarets for human beings. Unpleasant consequences come only after a longer time. Thus, we find out after a few years how important it is to prevent corrosion of the strings, tuning pins, case or soundboard cracks.
DECISSION
It is always our own decission how we care about our instrument. Klaviano, for the sake of all pianos and piano users, can only recommend the instalation of the humidity control system to provide the satisfaction of piano owners as long as possible.
It is necessary to remember that maintaining perfect humidity conditions is only one third of success in prolonging the life of our instruments. The two remaining aspects are:
- keeping relatively constant temperature in the room where an instrument is kept and
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regular visits of a technician who will tune and check the technical condition of our piano
If we think seriously about installing the humidity controll system in our instrument, thanks to Klaviano search engine we can find a technician to do it for us.
Source: http://www.pianolifesaver.com/english/about/howitworks
I already have a humidifier system, it’s working well in the winter, but the summer is coming and i think i should also build a system as you recommended.
But i dont know how to choose the Dehumidifier which is best for my house, can you give some tips or advice ?
Thank you!
Yes, the summer is already here.
There are some companies that install or just sell the humidity control systems. It contains humidifiers, dehumidifiers and a hygrometer as well. One of those brands is called Piano Life Saver, but you can find some more on the Internet. These systems are the most comprehensive solution.
To be honest I have no big experience with dehumidifiers. I live in Poland and during the summer I have perfect humidity in my room. During the winter it is sometimes necessary to increase humidity.
First of all you have to have a hygrometer. Then you can do tests. I would advice to you to begin with cheap desiccants. Put such a bag into your piano and measure the humidity level. It may be enought. If not, try some electronical dehumidifiers.
Wishes for long life of your piano and a great joy for you from playing ;))