The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-09-06
HEATING OF HOUSES.
Electricity More Expensive Than Steam,
But Advantages Are Greater.

Electricity More Expensive Than Steam
But Advantages Are Greater.
w. r. Wilcox in Pittsburg Dispatch
Having given some attention to the pro-
gress electric heating is making, 1 was in
terested to read in a recent issue of your paper
an article by Mr.. William Whigham under
the head line, Cheating of houses by the
electrical current is not an economical posi-
billy; figures that tell the tale; cost is ten
times what it is by the steam radiator system;
no advantages to make up for it," and was
surprised to learn that such general inferences
were deducted from particular conditions. l
will admit tine accuracy of Mr.. Whigham's
calculation in the case he assumes, but gen
eralities are not proven by particular case.
Besides the one mentioned by Mr.. Whig-
ham there are other cases to be taken into
consideration. The advantage to be gained
from electrical energy, is, that large amount
of energy can be distributed in small quanti-
ties and at great distances The long distance
steam-heating systems are subject to an enor-
nous loss OF energy by radiation and in no
circumstance can the steam system transmit
heat to great distances. That this loss is not
merely theoretical is evident from the fact
that water pipes never freeze in streets where
steam conductors are laid.
The best method of packing cannot prevent
such loss, while that from insulated wire is
the amount of energy transmitted. Long dis
tance steam, heating systems provide increased
comfort and convenience. The cost is greater
than OF separate steam plants, but people will
pay the increased expense In order to be rid of
fire, smoke, coal, and ashes in the house. 1t
is with such systems that those advocating
electrical heating would make comparisons.
Improved conditions come from altered
methods oftentimes. When heating houses by
separate furnaces had reached fair degree
of off efo cta
were tried to get greater convenience even at
loss Of efficiency in the apparatus used. I'm
provements in the system may be expected,
but there will always be limits to it's use.
Latest comes the idea of transmitting heat
energy In the form of electricity, thus over
coming the obstacle OF distance met with in
steam systems, and at the same time securing
greater efficiency of apparatus. 1t is in this
light heating should be viewed. A parallel
exists between the cases of electric heating
| and lighting.
1t would be absurd to provide every house
| with generating apparatus for lighting pur-
| poses, but where central station provides
| power the cost is not excessive. The electric
| light is more expensive than gas, but also is
| gas more expensive than oil, and oil than the
| tallow candle yet, even considering the item
| of expense, who would not prefer the incan-
| descent lamp to the candle, oil or gas Thus
the cheap wood fire gives place to the more
| expensive coal fire, and the coal fire to the
Il
| turn, to steam. Now, there exists q place
for electrical heating. The advantages for the
latter will soon be worth to people the diff
ference In cost
l would call particular attention to the
advantages which Mr.. Whigham considers
"minor items Of not much Importance" At
| distance from the community in which the
houses are warmed by electricity an electric
power station will be situated. The fuel
which has hitherto been wheeled through the
Il streets of the CITY dnmna6 lawns and
sidewalks thrown into cellars, creating DUST
OF hundreds of people to feed IL to furnaces
which requires the attention of the family to
accomplish satisfactory and economical COM
bustion Is in the furnace of this power station,
consumed under the direction OF two or three
men skilled in such labor
Mr.. Whigham has conceded to electrical
heating the advantages of permitting greater
facility In regulating temperature, and of
being free from losses such as steam heaters
are liable to, but to the importance OF these
advantages he gives little consideration.
Who has not been the victim of an unat-
tended furnace, or the unwilling audience of
changing steam pipes And how often have
irescoes and holdings and plastered ceilings
been ruined by escaping water? Such grieV-
anees can never attend the use of the electri-
cal heater
do not agree with Mr.. Whigham that the
"relatiVe cost Of the two plants and OF
the outlay for wages, wear and tear
! interest and depreciation are plainly in