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<p class=MsoNormal>I would appreciate the advice of those of you on the list
pertaining to this topic: One of my customers is the pianist for a 200
year old congregational church here in New Hampshire. Because of the very
high cost of heating oil this winter, the church has decided to turn the heat
off completely between Sundays. It’s a big, airy church with no
insulation in the walls and single pane windows. So, a day or so after
services, the interior temperatures will nearly match whatever they are
outdoors. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Presently, the pianist is using an old upright that has one
foot in the grave. The church music committee has just given her $15.000
to buy a new grand piano. But she is concerned that the lack of heat between
services in the wintertime will damage the piano, and wonders if the new piano
would be an appropriate investment given the conditions it will be kept. She
has asked my advice. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Some background about our winter climate in New
Hampshire. Our winters can be long and cold. We can have protracted
cold spells where the overnight lows can be - 10 or – 20.
Common overnight lows will be in the single numbers and teens.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I have seen pianos that were stored in an unheated truck for
a couple of days brought inside to a heated space. Within an hour or so,
you will see condensation forming on the exterior of the piano. Because
the piano is so cold, I have seen frost form!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I think the issues that this piano would face are
these: The condensation that is the byproduct of the freeze – thaw cycles
will damage the finish of the soundboard and the case, which may lead to
crazing. Sluggish and sticking keys will be a common complaint. Strings
and other steel parts will rust because of the condensation. Given
that the temperature will jack from very low to 60 or 65 degrees in a few hours,
I would be concerned about the soundboard cracking due to expansion caused by
the rise in temperature.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance for your
offering. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Will Truitt<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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