Room Dehumidifiers vs. Dampp-Chaser

[Vanderhoofven]

At 08:27 PM 8/17/97 -0700, you wrote:
>I just mentioned to a customer, with measured RH of 72%, that a room
>dehumidifier might be a useful alternative to Dampp Chasers for her two
>grands, 7' and 9'. Since I'm mostly ignorant of dehumidifiers as well as
>current Dampp Chaser systems, I said that I'd put the question to the
>list.
>
>My concerns: although it would be easy to bring home a dehumidifier,
>plug it in, no technician required, there would be a certain amount of
>noise and a tray would have to be emptied(?); DC systems would be more
>expensive, full system would require water tank to be filled (maybe get
>both, empty dehumidifier tray into DC humidifier tank?).
>
>
>-- 
>Thomas A. Cole RPT
>Santa Cruz, CA


Dear Tom,

72% RH is much too high for a piano where I live in Missouri, because I can
expect the RH to go down to 25% RH or lower during the winter time.  The
difference in humidity from summer to winter ends up killing pianos pretty
quickly.  California may not become that dry during the winter-time, but
even so 72% is pretty high.

Reasons to install a complete Dampp-Chaser Humidity Control System instead
of a room dehumidifier.

1. Room dehumidifiers are not that cheap either.  A powerful room
dehumidifier can easily cost several hundred dollars for one that will
dehumidify a room big enough to hold a 7' and 9' grand.  

Yes, two complete Dampp-Chaser systems are less expensive than one room
dehumidifier, but the cost is justified by the extra benefits.  

2.  Room dehumidifiers are noisy and need to be emptied of water quite often. 

Dampp-Chaser Systems are run silently.  The owner will need to add water to
the system occasionally (more frequently in the winter when it is dry), but
I would still think that this is less frequent maintenance than the room
dehumidifier needs.  

3. With a room dehumidifier, the owner will need to be constantly checking
the RH to make sure that the room dehumidifier doesn't keep on going when
the room getting dry. 

The humidistat on the Dampp-Chaser system constantly controls the RH of the
piano automatically.  No need to worry or fuss about changing RH levels.

4.  Room dehumidifiers are usually sold by Sears or other appliance stores,
and the piano technician usually does not make a profit on the sale of such
items.  

Dampp-Chaser systems are sold and serviced by experienced technicians, who
can expect to make some profit by recommending an exceptional product that
makes the piano hold more stable tunings and prolongs the life of the piano.

5.  A room dehumidifier actually needs more maintenance by the piano owner
than a complete Dampp-Chaser system does.  (My opinion)  The owner will
need to constantly empty the water out of the tray.  The owner will need to
change the filters regularly.  The owner will need to take the dehumidifier
apart and clean the scum and scale out of the dehumidifier.

With the Dampp-Chaser system, the esperienced technician can expect to do
some extra work, such as changing humidifier pads every 6 months, and
changing the water every year or two.  But the technician can also charge
extra for this service which the customer would prefer not to do.

Disclaimer:  I do not get paid anything to promote the Dampp-Chaser
Electronics Co.  I am just a firm believer in the products they sell.  From
my own personal experience, the pianos that have a complete D-C System hold
tunings much better.  I don't like to change pitch up and down back to
A-440 every 6 months for my regular customers because it puts unnecessary
wear and tear on the pinblock.  A D-C system helps the piano stay at pitch
much better.

I hope this helps!  Why not contact Dampp-Chaser Electronics for their
newest packet of information?

Sincerely,


David A. Vanderhoofven, RPT
Joplin, Missouri, USA        
e-mail:  dkvander@clandjop.com

web page:  http://www.clandjop.com/~dkvander/
#pianotech page:  http://www.clandjop.com/~dkvander/ircpiano.html