The Piano Life Saver Systems For the Piano

So: We must keep in mind that both excessive relative humidity and dryness are enemies of a musical instrument. In the case of the piano, we must accept a temperature of 16-22 degrees Celsius with a relative humidity of 30-50%. Above these humidity values, some parts of the action could "stick" DUE TO THE SWELLING and shrinking of the center pin holes and due to the absorption of other felts, for example those of the keyboard, with consequent poor movement of the same. The hammers could also change sound. Sometimes it is possible to restore the original sound by passing a special hot iron over them. Prolonged excessive humidity over time could cause swelling of the soundboard.

Conversely, too much dryness could cause cracks in the soundboard and the shrinkage of the center pin holes. Small noises and "chirps" could appear or even, over time, some parts may be subject to delamination. In both cases, [it affects] tuning stability.

In short, both conditions should be avoided. A good device can help, but it is important to monitor the instrument and encourage air circulation. A good hygrometer, at a low cost, is a good device to start evaluating!

Good Music. Paolo

I know these systems; I saw one installed on a grand piano by a friend. It has a control unit, a tank to provide humidity, and a bar to dehumidify. My friend is enthusiastic; it's quiet, hidden, always works, and keeps the humidity of the piano wood constant at around 46%, if I remember correctly. It protects against humidity changes even during the same day (just opening a window is enough). I think I will install it on my upright; every now and then I notice that the sound changes and even the keyboard shifts.

Idea wrote:

I know these systems, I saw one installed on a grand piano by a friend. It has a control unit, a tank to provide humidity and a bar to dehumidify. The friend is enthusiastic; it's quiet, hidden, always works, and keeps the humidity of the piano wood constant at around 46%, if I remember correctly. It protects against humidity changes even during the same day (just opening a window is enough). I think I will install it on my upright; every now and then I notice that the sound changes and even the keyboard shifts.

However, let's not confuse the relative humidity in the environment with the humidity of the soundboard (when talking about wood, I think people are referring to this component).

The woods must reach an equilibrium with the environment to bring themselves to about 15% RH. This is achieved, as was being said, by ensuring proper air circulation..

Fra wrote:

However, let's not confuse the relative humidity in the environment with the humidity of the soundboard (when talking about wood, I think one is referring to this component).

The woods must reach an equilibrium with the environment to bring themselves to about 15% RH. This is achieved, as was being said, by ensuring proper air circulation..

I read the Piano Life Saver website. It acts on the relative humidity contained within the piano materials, wood and felt. This is independent of the humidity present in the air. It says it has a bar that heats up, expanding the air which therefore contains more water that does not transfer to the wood. Furthermore, this bar creates air circulation because the warm air goes upwards, cools down, and descends.

Hello everyone,

I am resuming this discussion by providing my informative contribution as I am a technician/installer of Piano Life Saver systems.

These systems are devices that regulate and stabilize the humidity percentage inside the piano.

The system consists of three elements: a control unit, a humidifier, and a dehumidifier.

The humidifier dispenses humid air into the piano.

The dehumidifier heats the humid air and it expands.

By expanding, it holds greater quantities of water within itself.

The control unit is the brain of the system.

What is the purpose of these systems?

The function of PLS systems is to protect the piano from climatic fluctuations which, as we have seen in Italy this summer, are becoming increasingly sudden.

I wanted to reopen this discussion because I am not very convinced about the system for regulating humidity.

In practice, both the Piano Life Saver and the Moisture King—I don't know of any others—heat the air inside the piano: in the case of an upright, inside; in the case of a grand, underneath.

But isn't it that this temperature increase, which is relatively fast and localized, puts the tuning in crisis?

I, on the other hand, was wondering if it wouldn't be better to control the ambient humidity with a programmable dehumidifier...