Where to Put a Piano in a Florida Home: Sun, AC Vents, and RH 40–50%

Florida is great for beach days—not for pianos. Sun exposure and A/C blasts swing temperature and humidity, which makes tuning drift and parts swell or shrink. The good news: with the right spot and steady humidity (RH 40–50%), your piano will sound beautiful, need fewer emergency tunings, and feel consistent under your hands.

At B Amazing Music, our background-checked teachers coach one-on-one in your home across Winter Garden, Windermere, Lake Buena Vista, Ocoee, Clermont, and Apopka. During Lesson 1, we’ll help you pick a safe location and set a simple care plan.

Quick answer (screenshot this)

• Choose an interior wall away from windows and exterior doors.
• Keep direct sun off the case (no east/west window glare).
• Stay 3–6 ft from A/C supply vents and not directly under a return.
• Aim for 40–50% relative humidity (RH) year-round; check with a room hygrometer.
• Upright: place 2–6 inches from the wall for airflow.
• Grand: rotate so the keyboard faces away from windows; lid closed when not in use.
• Add caster cups (and a rug on tile) to reduce vibration and protect floors.

Best rooms for a piano in Florida homes

Great choices

• Interior living room/office with stable temperature and no big glass exposure.
• Dining room with curtains/blinds and few exterior walls.

Use with care

• Open-plan living rooms with wide sliders: fine if you can shade sun and keep vents off the piano.
• Lofts (hot air rises): OK if A/C and RH are steady and sun is controlled.

Avoid

• Sunrooms, near pool doors, or right by sliders (big RH swings).
• Garages (heat and humidity spikes).
• Direct A/C draft zones.

Sun: what to watch and how to fix it

• Direct rays heat the case and fade finish; daily heating/cooling cycles destabilize tuning.
• Fixes:
  • Hang UV curtains or blinds; add a sheer + blackout combo for afternoon glare.
  • Rotate the piano so the keyboard faces the room, not the window.
  • Use a soft, breathable cover when not playing (never plastic directly on wood).

A/C vents & airflow

• Cold air straight on the soundboard or action dries parts too quickly; warm returns can do the opposite.
• Fixes:
  • Position the piano 3–6 ft away from supply vents; aim vanes away from the instrument.
  • If unavoidable, install a magnetic vent deflector to redirect airflow.
  • Keep at least 12–18 inches of clearance above an upright for heat to dissipate.

Humidity target: RH 40–50% (Florida-specific tips)

• Put a digital hygrometer on the piano (or on the wall behind an upright).
• If RH > 60% for days: run A/C or a room dehumidifier in that space.
• If RH < 35% (rare here but possible with heavy A/C): use a small room humidifier.
• Consider a soundboard-mounted control system installed by a piano tech if your room swings a lot.

Consistency beats perfection. A steady 45–50% RH is better than big swings between 35% and 65%.

Upright vs. Grand: placement notes

Upright pianos

• Wall choice: pick an interior wall.
• Spacing: 2–6 inches from the wall for airflow (and power if you use a lamp/metronome).
• Noise control: a rug under the front feet helps on tile; avoid wedging into corners.

Grands / Baby grands

• Orientation: keyboard faces into the room; curve toward the nearest wall if possible to reduce sun/vent exposure.
• Lid: closed when not playing; short stick only in controlled rooms.
• Caster cups or a pad under each wheel protect floors and tame resonance in lively rooms.

Floors, rugs, and neighbors

• Tile & LVP: add a rug under the bench area to soften reflections.
• Upstairs rooms: caster cups + rug can minimize transfer to neighbors/rooms below.
• Benches: adjustable bench + feet flat = better posture and quieter technique for kids.

Simple weekly care (5 minutes)

• Dust with a dry microfiber (no sprays on the case; no liquids on keys).
• Check RH reading; note big swings.
• Close the key cover after playing (keeps dust and Florida humidity off the keytops).
• Wipe keytops with a slightly damp soft cloth (water only), then immediately dry.

Tuning & service in Florida

• Plan twice a year tunings (spring/fall) for most homes; more often if RH swings or the piano was recently moved.
• After power outages or storms, let the room stabilize for a week before calling your tech—then tune/regulate.

Placement checklist (print/screenshot)

• □ Interior wall or interior room (away from windows/doors)
• □ Out of direct sun; curtains/blinds installed
• □ 3–6 ft from supply vents; not under a return
• □ RH 40–50% (hygrometer in the room)
• □ Upright 2–6" from wall; grand rotated away from windows
• □ Caster cups and a rug (tile/LVP)
• □ Lid closed when not playing; breathable cover if needed

FAQ

Can I keep an upright on an exterior wall if that’s the only option?
Yes—if there’s no direct sun, the wall is insulated, and the A/C doesn’t blow on it. Leave 2–6" of space and monitor RH.

How close can a piano be to a window?
Ideally 6–8 ft or more. If the room forces it closer, use UV curtains, rotate the piano, and maintain RH carefully.

Is a dehumidifier noisy for practice?
Most modern units are quiet on low. Run it before/after practice if noise bothers you.

Do I need a special cover in Florida?
A soft, breathable cover helps with dust/sun. Avoid plastic sheeting—it traps moisture.