Disklavier

I have a question about regulating my house temperature during the 
winter months and the potential effect this may have on my 
Disklavier MX1Z upright piano.  The piano is not located near any 
heat sources, in direct sunlight, near an outer wall, etc., or 
anything that would directly affect the piano in an adverse way.
 
I live in the 'great white north'.  Actually, I live in Edmonton, 
Alberta (Canada).  Hockey fans will know about Edmonton as Wayne 
Gretzky played here during his climb to fame.
 
Edmonton is geographically situated at:
    Latitude: 53 degrees, 18 minutes north 
    Longitude: 113 degrees, 35 minutes west
 
Here's our annual meteorological statistics (temperatures in 
Fahrenheit):
 
         Average    Average   Warmest  Coldest  Average      Average
Month:    High:      Low:       Ever:   Ever:  Dew Point:  
Precipitation:
 
JAN.       19         2          46      -49       3         0.9
FEB.       23         4          55      -40       6         0.6
MARCH      34        16          63      -29      16         0.7
APRIL      50        29          86      -18      26         0.8
MAY        62        39          90       18      35         2.0
JUNE       68        46          88       30      45         3.5
JULY       71        50          90       36      51         3.4 
AUG.       69        47          91       25      49         3.6
SEP.       61        39          93       16      40         1.9
OCT.       51        29          83      -15      29         0.5
NOV.       31        13          64      -29      15         0.6
DEC.       21         3          48      -47       6         1.0
 
(http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/northame/canada/wedmonto.htm
)

My house has a forced-air furnace that burns natural gas.  My annual 
combined natural gas + electricity costs run about CDN$1500 
(depending on fluctuating prices and severity of annual weather).
 
Like many who live in cold climates, I use a programmable furnace 
thermostat to vary the temperature throughout the day. The program 
is set to provide a 'comfortable temperature' based on whether 
anyone is typically home at the time, for overnight sleeping, etc.  
Programmable thermostats are quire common and are used to save $$'s 
and equally to conserve energy (natural resources).
 
To put this into context, here's my thermostat's winter heating 
schedule:
 
Day:           Time:         Temperature:
 
Mon-Fri   7:00am -  8:45am   68.0F (20C)
          8:45am -  5:45pm   64.4F (18C)
          5:45pm - 10:45pm   68.0F (20C)
         10:45pm -  7:00am   54.4F (18F)
 
Sat-Sun   8:45am -  11:45pm  68.0F (20C)
         11:45pm -   8:45am  64.4F (18F)
 

When someone's home the temp will often get bumped up to 69.8F (21C) 
for comfort. Also, if we're traveling, we'll hold the temp at 18F 
while we're away.  The humidity in my house typically varies between 
35%-38% during the winter.  Of course anything that creates humidity 
(cloths dryer, etc.) will temporarily increase the relative humidity.
 
Okay then.  With all the foregoing information as background, and 
with regard to my piano, should I reconsider using my programmable 
thermostats and simply hold the temperature at 68F all winter?  Then 
again, maybe I should move to a warmer climate!
 

Robert

Thanks for your comments Jimmy.

I do realize that keeping my thermostat on a set temperature all 
winter is likley the best thing to do.  However, I'm still curious 
to know if using a programmable thermostat and varying the 
temperature by 3.6F (2C) is the worst thing to do, or ill advised.  

As an alternate solution, perhaps I should install a local heater 
and/or humidifier in the piano (such as the Damp Chaser)?  This way 
I'm don't have to heat the whole house to 68F (20C) all winter.

Comments?

Robert

--- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, Jimmy <JimmyM@V...> wrote:
> I will be brief,  I have been living in Montreal with my 
disklavier for many winter.  This will be my fourth with my piano 
DGC1A and I also have a similar heating system,  I do not use a 
programmable thermostat, and try to keep my temperature around 21,  
the realtive humidity will be decreasing for the next few months as 
the temperature will reach minus 30c.  The humidity will go down as 
much as 30% which will be normal for these conditions.
> Unfortunately, the piano will shift at the same rate.  I normally 
try to getting tune in october, and sometime in may.  I like to have 
it in tune for Xmas but it will shift slightly with time.  If your 
piano was built for North America, i believe Yamaha use  proper wood 
for our climate, and it will last you for years to come.
> 
> Enjoy the music,, and happy holidays.
> 
> Jimmy
> Montreal CAnada
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: rrl_edm 
>   To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com 
>   Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 5:23 PM
>   Subject: [disklavier] Regulating House Tem[erature During Winter 
Months
> 
> 
> 
>   I have a question about regulating my house temperature during 
the 
>   winter months and the potential effect this may have on my 
>   Disklavier MX1Z upright piano.  The piano is not located near 
any 
>   heat sources, in direct sunlight, near an outer wall, etc., or 
>   anything that would directly affect the piano in an adverse way.
> 
>   I live in the 'great white north'.  Actually, I live in 
Edmonton, 
>   Alberta (Canada).  Hockey fans will know about Edmonton as Wayne 
>   Gretzky played here during his climb to fame.
> 
>   Edmonton is geographically situated at:
>       Latitude: 53 degrees, 18 minutes north 
>       Longitude: 113 degrees, 35 minutes west
> 
>   Here's our annual meteorological statistics (temperatures in 
>   Fahrenheit):
> 
>            Average    Average   Warmest  Coldest  Average      
Average
>   Month:    High:      Low:       Ever:   Ever:  Dew Point:  
>   Precipitation:
> 
>   JAN.       19         2          46      -49       3         0.9
>   FEB.       23         4          55      -40       6         0.6
>   MARCH      34        16          63      -29      16         0.7
>   APRIL      50        29          86      -18      26         0.8
>   MAY        62        39          90       18      35         2.0
>   JUNE       68        46          88       30      45         3.5
>   JULY       71        50          90       36      51         3.4 
>   AUG.       69        47          91       25      49         3.6
>   SEP.       61        39          93       16      40         1.9
>   OCT.       51        29          83      -15      29         0.5
>   NOV.       31        13          64      -29      15         0.6
>   DEC.       21         3          48      -47       6         1.0
> 
>   
(http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/northame/canada/wedmonto.htm
> 
>   My house has a forced-air furnace that burns natural gas.  My 
annual 
>   combined natural gas + electricity costs run about CDN$1500 
>   (depending on fluctuating prices and severity of annual weather).
> 
>   Like many who live in cold climates, I use a programmable 
furnace 
>   thermostat to vary the temperature throughout the day. The 
program 
>   is set to provide a 'comfortable temperature' based on whether 
>   anyone is typically home at the time, for overnight sleeping, 
etc.  
>   Programmable thermostats are quire common and are used to save 
$$'s 
>   and equally to conserve energy (natural resources).
> 
>   To put this into context, here's my thermostat's winter heating 
>   schedule:
> 
>   Day:           Time:         Temperature:
> 
>   Mon-Fri   7:00am -  8:45am   68.0F (20C)
>             8:45am -  5:45pm   64.4F (18C)
>             5:45pm - 10:45pm   68.0F (20C)
>            10:45pm -  7:00am   54.4F (18F)
> 
>   Sat-Sun   8:45am -  11:45pm  68.0F (20C)
>            11:45pm -   8:45am  64.4F (18F)
> 
> 
>   When someone's home the temp will often get bumped up to 69.8F 
(21C) 
>   for comfort. Also, if we're traveling, we'll hold the temp at 
18F 
>   while we're away.  The humidity in my house typically varies 
between 
>   35%-38% during the winter.  Of course anything that creates 
humidity 
>   (cloths dryer, etc.) will temporarily increase the relative 
humidity.
> 
>   Okay then.  With all the foregoing information as background, 
and 
>   with regard to my piano, should I reconsider using my 
programmable 
>   thermostats and simply hold the temperature at 68F all winter?  
Then 
>   again, maybe I should move to a warmer climate!
> 
> 
>   Robert
> 
> 
>         Yahoo! Groups Sponsor 
>               ADVERTISEMENT
>              
>        
>        
> 
>   To Post a message to the group, send it to:   disklavier@Y...
> 
>   To Post a private message to Todd Muncy, the group's founder and 
moderator, send it to:
>   disklavier-owner@Y...
> 
>   To reach our group's web site go to:
>   http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier
> 
>   Todd's family web site was completely updated 01/15/03.  It 
contains some fun disklavier content and links to midi sites among 
many other things, The url is:
>   http://MuncyFamily.com 
> 
>   THINKING OF LEAVING THE GROUP?
>   If you are thinking of unsubcribing because you are getting too 
much mail, go the the web site and change your email delivery option 
instead.  That will fix the problem, while maintaining your access 
to the group.  If you insist on leaving us completely send a blank 
email to:
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> 
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> 
> 
>   Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of 
Service.

Pianos are far more suceptible to changes in humidity and than temperature.
Use a humidifier and try to keep the humidity as constant as possible.  The
ideal RH is 42%.  If your house temperature is comfortable for you, then it
is fine for your piano.

Carol Beigel


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "rrl_edm" <r_leblanc@...>
To: <disklavier@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 5:23 PM
Subject: [disklavier] Regulating House Tem[erature During Winter Months


>
> I have a question about regulating my house temperature during the
> winter months and the potential effect this may have on my
> Disklavier MX1Z upright piano.  The piano is not located near any
> heat sources, in direct sunlight, near an outer wall, etc., or
> anything that would directly affect the piano in an adverse way.
>
> I live in the 'great white north'.  Actually, I live in Edmonton,
> Alberta (Canada).  Hockey fans will know about Edmonton as Wayne
> Gretzky played here during his climb to fame.
>
> Edmonton is geographically situated at:
>     Latitude: 53 degrees, 18 minutes north
>     Longitude: 113 degrees, 35 minutes west
>
> Here's our annual meteorological statistics (temperatures in
> Fahrenheit):
>
>          Average    Average   Warmest  Coldest  Average      Average
> Month:    High:      Low:       Ever:   Ever:  Dew Point:
> Precipitation:
>
> JAN.       19         2          46      -49       3         0.9
> FEB.       23         4          55      -40       6         0.6
> MARCH      34        16          63      -29      16         0.7
> APRIL      50        29          86      -18      26         0.8
> MAY        62        39          90       18      35         2.0
> JUNE       68        46          88       30      45         3.5
> JULY       71        50          90       36      51         3.4
> AUG.       69        47          91       25      49         3.6
> SEP.       61        39          93       16      40         1.9
> OCT.       51        29          83      -15      29         0.5
> NOV.       31        13          64      -29      15         0.6
> DEC.       21         3          48      -47       6         1.0
>
> (http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/northame/canada/wedmonto.htm
> )
>
> My house has a forced-air furnace that burns natural gas.  My annual
> combined natural gas + electricity costs run about CDN$1500
> (depending on fluctuating prices and severity of annual weather).
>
> Like many who live in cold climates, I use a programmable furnace
> thermostat to vary the temperature throughout the day. The program
> is set to provide a 'comfortable temperature' based on whether
> anyone is typically home at the time, for overnight sleeping, etc.
> Programmable thermostats are quire common and are used to save $$'s
> and equally to conserve energy (natural resources).
>
> To put this into context, here's my thermostat's winter heating
> schedule:
>
> Day:           Time:         Temperature:
>
> Mon-Fri   7:00am -  8:45am   68.0F (20C)
>           8:45am -  5:45pm   64.4F (18C)
>           5:45pm - 10:45pm   68.0F (20C)
>          10:45pm -  7:00am   54.4F (18F)
>
> Sat-Sun   8:45am -  11:45pm  68.0F (20C)
>          11:45pm -   8:45am  64.4F (18F)
>
>
> When someone's home the temp will often get bumped up to 69.8F (21C)
> for comfort. Also, if we're traveling, we'll hold the temp at 18F
> while we're away.  The humidity in my house typically varies between
> 35%-38% during the winter.  Of course anything that creates humidity
> (cloths dryer, etc.) will temporarily increase the relative humidity.
>
> Okay then.  With all the foregoing information as background, and
> with regard to my piano, should I reconsider using my programmable
> thermostats and simply hold the temperature at 68F all winter?  Then
> again, maybe I should move to a warmer climate!
>
>
> Robert
>
>
>       Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>             ADVERTISEMENT
>
>
>
>
> To Post a message to the group, send it to:   disklavier@...
>
> To Post a private message to Todd Muncy, the group's founder and
moderator, send it to:
> disklavier-owner@...
>
> To reach our group's web site go to:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier
>
> Todd's family web site was completely updated 01/15/03.  It contains some
fun disklavier content and links to midi sites among many other things, The
url is:
> http://MuncyFamily.com
>
> THINKING OF LEAVING THE GROUP?
> If you are thinking of unsubcribing because you are getting too much mail,
go the the web site and change your email delivery option instead.  That
will fix the problem, while maintaining your access to the group.  If you
insist on leaving us completely send a blank email to:

> disklavier-unsubscribe@...
>
> Know someone who wants to join?  Have them send a blank email to:
> disklavier-subscribe@... or give them this link:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier/join
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>