Larry Fine addresses the issue, but doesn't go into a lot of detail. He says to keep it away from a radiator, nor over a forced air vent. He also says that placing the piano next to a window is fine, if it can't be avoided.

OK, that's a start, but...

I am thinking of buying a 6'3" grand. I have a room that is 12'x16', with a picture window on one side and a fireplace on the other. They are both located on the longer walls (e.g., there's 12' between the window and fireplace).

1. What's the minimum distance from piano to the fireplace? We only use this fireplace maybe 200 hours per year (50 nights, 4 hours per night) max...it's not a very big fireplace, and standing 5' from it (or 3' for that matter), although warm, is not unbearable at all. One room configuration has the piano along the wall perpendicular to the fireplace, thus the piano's rim would be about 5' from the fireplace at its closest point. Sound OK?

2. What about putting the piano alongside the picture window? The window (just a run of the mill single pane window...not insulated or anything fancy) is on the north side of the house, and thus it gets absolutely no sun. There's no draft, and the temp difference seems minimal compared to the walls (Larry Fine also says that temperature is not really a factor, so...).

3. In either location, a forced air vent (3" x 10", so not very big, nor that powerful--but this vent does supply 3/4 of the heat for this room) is going to be about 3' away from the piano. Is that too close? What's the minimum distance between air vent and piano?

Thanks,
Francis

Does the window have direct sunlight that would shine on the piano most of the day? that would be a reason NOT to place it there. If just general ambient light from the window then I would go with that rather than the fireplace. Basicly extremes of heat will dry out the wood of the piano, putting the tuning out.

You could look at www.dampp-chaser.com for their infomation on changes in tempreture/humidity. And, of course the Piano tech who will eventually be called to tune the piano.

Thanks Brian,

Yeah, the window has no direct sunlight. Placing it there would move the piano from 5' to 7' away from the fireplace. What do you think, should I find another room (or I should say, my other room) without a fireplace (but a window with direct sunlight--which can be diffused with curtains and outside trees)?

Cheers,
Frank

Francis,

Since you say the picture window has no direct sunlight shining on the piano, I would place it on that wall and away from the fireplace completely. Now you did mention another room(s)? Don't know about that, but you should be fine in the room you described.