Why is the first year of a piano's life so important?

Interestingly, a piano's first year in its new home is the most important year for service. All new pianos, regardless of maker, undergo a "settling" process during the first few months of life. This is caused, in part, by normal use. However, the piano's new environment exerts the most influence on the new piano's settling process. This is due to changes in temperature and humidity that the piano is exposed to in its new environment.