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

[John Goode]

I do not know that a 5 part system is all ways necessary.  Where I grew up I
( Southwest Louisiana), I am not sure that a humidistat is necessary as the
humidity seems to stay at 95% or higher.  Where I live now (Deep South
Texas), the humidity swings 30 to 40% in a day, the 5 part system is
necessary.  I try to explain to the customer the need for the complete
system and how it works and the cost involved.  They have to then decide how
much of a system they want.  I have installed only 4 complete systems down
here 3 in churches and one in a home.  You can educate the customer just so
much, they have to decide what they are willing to spend to protect their
investment.  I have seen 8 cases where the action rails in verticles,
spinets, studios,etc. have split because of gas space heaters in the same
room as the piano.  Even in high humidity areas, some of these newer houses
are so well insulated, that when the heat comes on in the winter, it gets
really dry.  Any type of fire gas or wood will dry the place out in a hurry.
So educate thecustomer as best as you can, and hopefully they will see the
need for the 5 part system.  I hope that I have not rambled on too long and
this helps you
-John A. Goode R.P.T.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeannie Grassi" <jgrassi@silverlink.net>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 8:36 PM
Subject: FWD: Is complete 5-Part Dampp-chaser unit always necessary?


> 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
>
>