Whole room humidity control better than Dampp Chaser. ( Right?)

[Farrell]

I trust you noted that I do not have whole room/house humidity control, but 
rather I have a DC dehumidification system on my grand piano at home?

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message ----- 
>I agree with you in theory. But the whole room system is only superior if 
>it can maintain a constant humidity within a few percent, all year round, 
>or as you say, a "proper" system. The cost and difficulty of establishing 
>such a proper system is not practical or realistic for most to consider, 
>especially if they live in harsher climates. Even in homes that have some 
>form of humidity control, the humidity swings are still enough to justify 
>installing a DC, if the piano really is top priority.
>
> In Florida, you basically only need to worry about drying out the air to 
> bring the humidity down. In a place with cold, dry winters and humid 
> summers, you must be able to both add and remove moisture. Raising the 
> humidity up enough during cold weather could cause condensation damage. 
> Here in Arizona, I'd hate to think what it would cost for a system that 
> could pump enough moisture into the air to maintain a reasonable RH, and 
> how much energy and water would be consumed in the process. Just the water 
> filtration system required to feed such a humidifier would cost an arm and 
> a leg. With the water we have, filtration would not be optional.
>
> Perhaps DC systems haven't worked as well for some other people, but I've 
> seen some amazing results in my limited experience with them, and that's 
> without even using a string or under cover. I'm talking about radical, "Is 
> this really the same piano?" results. I just don't understand why so many 
> people are so quick to dismiss Dampp Chasers and get so excited about 
> whole room systems. I say try the DC first, and then if you really aren't 
> pleased with the results (for reasons other than being too lazy to refill 
> the tank), then try the more expensive and difficult route.
>
>
>
> Farrell wrote:
SNIP
>> I have a good DC dehumidifier installation on my personal grand piano at 
>> home and the piano pitch and tunigns are rock solid.
SNIP>>
>> From a practical standpoint, I agree that in many, if not most, 
>> situations, a good DC installation will offer superior performance to 
>> "whole room humidity control", but again that is because most WRHC 
>> installations are poor at best - and not because HVAC is inherently 
>> inferior.