FWD: Is complete 5-Part Dampp-chaser unit always necessary?

[Jeannie Grassi]

Dear List,
This came to me for your consideration from Ryan Sowers, RPT:

>>As technicians we try to educate our clients so that they can take the
best
care of their pianos. I have attended several classes on humidity control at
conventions and talked with experienced technicians whose opinions I
respect. Combined with my a bit of personal experience with these systems I
have become convinced that they are of substantial enough benefit that we
are doing our clients a disservice if we are not actively promoting these
products. However there is an aspect of humidity control that I do not
understand.  Is the humidifier component beneficial in environments where
the relative humidity never drops below 42%? Since the humidifier is the
most expensive portion of the system and also the only part that requires
routine maintenance it is tempting to recommend installing the dehumidifier
and the humidistat only.  I called dampp-chaser and asked them if they had
studied the effectiveness this and they said no and that the only system
they recommend is the complete system. Here in the Pacific Northwest the
indoor humidity practically never goes below 42 % except in cases where the
client has wood heat. I believe in the value of humidity control, but am I
wasting my client's money recommending the 5 part system when a simple 2
part system might be as effective?

Sincerely,
Ryan Sowers RPT
Puget Sound Chapter<<



Jeannie Grassi, RPT
Associate Editor, Piano Technicians Journal
mailto:jgrassi@silverlink.net