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Extremes

Piano humidity control is important to help protect your piano from extreme swings from wet to dry or hot to cold which can be harmful to your piano.  Dryness causes the piano’s pitch to go flat, and moisture causes it to go sharp.  Repeated swings in relative humidity can cause soundboards and pinblocks to crack and distort.  Pianos that are hypersensitive to humidity fluctuations can be very difficult to keep in tune.

Dryness and Moisture

Extreme dryness can weaken glue joints that hold the soundboard and other wood parts of the piano together.  Moisture can lead to rust and sticking keys.  Variations in humidity have an adverse affect on your piano's tuning stability, and it is these fluctuations in humidity that are a primary reason your piano goes out of tune.

San Diego Climate

The damp, moist ocean air of San Diego County's coastline, and the dry air of east San Diego County, present a real threat to your piano.

San Diego North County's relative humidity typically ranges from 42% to 87% over the course of the year, sometimes dropping below 17% (very dry) and sometimes reaching as high as 100% (very humid).

San Diego North County is driest around early December and is most humid around late August.

Optimum Environment

A piano functions best under fairly consistent conditions which are neither too wet or too dry, optimally, at a temperature of 68 degrees F and 42 percent Relative Humidity (RH).

Piano Life Saver Humidity Control System

A properly installed piano humidity control system called the Piano Life Saver from the Dampp-Chaser Corporation can help tremendously in protecting your valuable investment.  The Piano Life Saver is attached to the underside of a grand piano and to the inside of an upright piano. It is nearly undetectable.  In order for the system to maintain a stable environment of 42% RH it is important that the electrical power cord remains plugged in at all times.  Typical installation time is about 1.5 hours.

Note that a full system installation includes dehumidifier heater rods, a humidifier, and a humidistat.  The full system is best suited for consistently drier climates such as east San Diego County.  A partial system installation includes only the dehumidifier heater rods and a humidistat. The partial system is best suited for humid environments such as locations near the San Diego coastline.  Partial systems can be upgraded to a full system whenever required.

Piano Life Saver Endorsements

The Piano Life Saver is endorsed by all of the leading piano manufacturers for both grand pianos and upright pianos.

Baldwin

"Baldwin recommends the Dampp-Chaser system as a valuable means to help insure the longevity and stability of our pianos."

Bechstein

"In environments with fluctuating humidity, Dampp-Chaser Humidity Control Systems efficiently help to preserve the extraordinary tonal quality and investment value of Bechstein pianos."

Bluthner

"The Life Saver System certainly helps to control the humidity around a piano, helps to prevent damage and to maintain its value."

Bösendorfer

"The usage of Dampp-Chaser humidity control systems effectively compensates climatic changes within the piano's environment and is for that reason beneficial in terms of stability and long term reliability."

Fazioli

"Fazioli pianos are individually handcrafted combining high quality materials with the finest workmanship and technology.  Despite our pianos are built according to strict standards in order to tolerate changes in temperature and humidity, we always remind our clients that it is much better to preserve the piano from severe climate conditions.  For this reason we recommend the Piano Life Saver System in particular to protect the soundboard, from the damaging effects of extreme humidity fluctuations."

Kawai

"Your Dampp-Chaser humidity control systems are the best and most carefully designed systems we have seen."

Mason & Hamlin

"The Piano Life Saver System should be included in the pianist's arsenal to combat damaging humidity extremes."

Pearl River Piano

"Pearl River Piano Group USA believes that a properly installed and maintained Dampp-Chaser system can enhance the performance and longevity of our pianos."

Petrof

"Petrof company recommends the Dampp-Chaser System with Petrof Pianos to enhance tuning and regulation stability, especially those pianos placed in areas that are subject to great air humidity changes or to extreme high or extreme low humidity levels.  Without such a system, it is very difficult to control the air humidity in the immediate vicinity of the piano."

Sauter

"The Piano Life Saver helps to preserve the outstanding sound, fine touch and unique expressiveness of Sauter handcrafted pianos."

Schimmel

"The best way to preserve the value of fine grands and uprights is to automatically regulate the humidity right within the instrument with a System from Dampp-Chaser Corporation."

Seiler

"The Dampp-Chaser Climate Control System helps retain both the regulation and pitch of top quality instruments, thus stabilizing the tonal character inherent in a particular make or instrument as well as its long-term value."

Steingraeber

"We use only fine natural wood and natural materials in the manufacture of Steingraeber pianos.  The Dampp-Chaser System helps to avoid damage to our pianos in severe climatic conditions, especially in overly-dry environments."

Steinway & Sons

"The installation of a Dampp-Chaser Humidity Control System can, in our opinion, provide a degree of climate control for the piano which may not otherwise be attainable."

Yamaha

"Yamaha fully endorses the use of the system with Yamaha pianos in areas that are subject to extremes in humidity.  Without such a system, it is very difficult to control the humidity around the piano."

Grand Piano String Covers

Achieve the ultimate protection for your grand piano by complementing a Piano Life Saver System with a 100% German wool string cover from Dawson String Covers.  Dawson string covers are unique in that when properly installed they do not make contact with the strings.  And, it can be easily removed at any time.

A string cover made of wool provides superior protection against rust, corrosion, dust and other damaging materials (including pet hair, pencils, paper clips and spills) from getting into your piano.  It is best to avoid felt string covers which do not perform as well as wool.

If a Piano Life Saver System is not suitable for your situation at least consider a wool string cover as the next level of protection for your grand piano.

Certification and Experience

I have installed dozens of Piano Life Saver Systems and have passed rigorous examinations and training to earn the credential of Certified Installer of the Piano Life Saver System by the Dampp-Chaser Corporation.  Only a qualified piano technician can install the Piano Life Saver in your piano.

My expertise in piano humidity control can help you decide on a cost–effective approach to protect your piano from the harmful effects San Diego's humidity fluctuations.  The goal is to attain year–round tuning stability and the best possible protection for your cherished piano.

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