Piano Forum

Topic: Heating & Humidifying  (Read 1894 times)

Offline fuel925

  • PS Silver Member
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 231
Heating & Humidifying
on: October 22, 2005, 09:46:41 PM
I have my piano in a room which is approx 4' x 8'. It's very cold in this room, so I have a portable heater in there, which I keep on permanently on the lowest setting, so that the temperature doesn't fluctuate. I also bought a humidifier so that the room doesn't dry out, which would also cause the piano to go out of tune. The problem is I can't keep the humidifier on all the time because it pumps an insane amount of moisture into the air, making everything a bit damp lol. Also I think it may be having an effect on the piano, because after a few days of having it on the piano seems "duller", quieter even.

My question is, when should I put the humidifier on, and how long for, to ensure that the room is not drying out, but its not getting to humid either?

Offline sonatainfsharp

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 255
Re: Heating & Humidifying
Reply #1 on: October 22, 2005, 10:14:22 PM
Your humidifyer should come on when the humidity drops below your desired level.

You should be able to set the humidifyer so that is is always "on" but it actually "kicks in" when needed.

For that, though, you have to refer to the manufactuer of the humidifyer.

Offline allthumbs

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1632
Re: Heating & Humidifying
Reply #2 on: October 23, 2005, 03:55:00 AM

Greetings

Having a humidifier on all the time is definitely something to avoid as this will damage your piano for sure.

To add to what sonatainfsharp has said, I would purchase an hygrometer (measures humidity) should your humidifier not be able to monitor humidity levels. It would also give you a much more accurate reading of humidity levels in the room.

In the case of a hygrometer, which can be mounted on the wall in your music room, you would have to check it manually and if the humidity is approaching the low end of the acceptable range, then turn on your humidifier for a short period of time.

Cheers

allthumbs :)

Sauter Delta (185cm) polished ebony 'Lucy'
Serial # 118 562

Offline sonatainfsharp

  • PS Silver Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 255
Re: Heating & Humidifying
Reply #3 on: October 23, 2005, 09:08:36 PM
I just read something about an hour ago that said the relative humity should be at 40%.

So, set your humidifyer to turn off once it gets above 40% and kick in once it is below 40%.

Again, you should be able to have the humidifyer "on" all the time, but only "running" when it needs to.  Letting it "run" all the time will probably swell and warp the sound board.
For more information about this topic, click search below!
 

Logo light pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts.

Subscribe for unlimited access

Sign up

Follow us

Piano Street Digicert