Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-06-17
HOW TO KEEP WARM.

The virtues and Cost Of Hot AIR, he
Water and steam for House-I eating.
Once upon time high temperature
was all that people required from the
systems used in heating their houses,
but good, wholesome air Is now the
main feature. The physicians have edu-
Gated the people to understand that hot
rooms are not conducive to good health,
and they have caused the mean tempera-
turs of the average dwelling house to
fall several degrees in the last few
years.
Much was expected in the way OF cleo
tricity for heating purposes, but as yet
Il has not justified anticipations. "Elec-
tricity may become a rival to steam, hot
air and hot water some day." said an
expert in the heating business, "but The
day is not yet in sight. Up to the pres
ent time electricity has been used with
success only in heating trolley cars. A
heating arrangement is placed under
the car seats, from which enough heat
radiates to keep the car comfortable In
cold weather. The heater Is n simple
thing, consisting only OF bars OF mctnl
which are heated TO high degree by
having an electric current passed
through them. The expense to the troll
ley companies is comparatively small,
because they have the electric plant, and
TO produce the additional power they
only require a little more fuel, but II
plant had to beprovlded to make the
heat, II would be an expensive luxury"
The real competition in house-heating
lies between hot air, steam and hot
water.
The hot-air furnace continues in high
favor, and dealers say that the sales have
been larger this year than ever before.
| The furnaces of the latest patterns are
superior in many respects to any that
have ever been placed on the market,
! and expert mechanics are continually
dcvising new methods to lessen the
objections to the furnace heat ut Is
bound to remain the most popular" a
dealer said. because IL is the least ex-
pensive, and people will overlook lit
| lie dust and little bad air once In
awhile II they know they are saving
money"
IL is estimated that a steam plant costs
| about twice ms much as n hot-air plant,
and that to heat house by hot water,
o plant must be put up which will cost
/ about 20 per cent. more than the one
for steam. The same calculation makes
the fuel for the hot-air plant the most
expensive, that for steam 25 per cent.
less, and for the hot water system
! 25 per cent. less than steam.
Large buildings will continue to use
steam until some system less expensive
can be devised. and when II is taken Into
consideration that most of the heat In
the large office buildings and factories
Is furnished by exhaust steam, u Is
easy 20 understand that 10 furnish n
cheaper system is a difficult task.
Many new houses are also being fitted
with steam-heating plants. but where
the cost Is not taken into consideration
and where the matter Of space does not
! play an important part, hot water Is
being used. The advocates of the sys.
ten say that II Is less complicated ahd
that when people know that the fear
Of explosions Is absolutely groundless,
more houses will be equipped with the
/ hot-water heating system.
"In speaking Of heating. gas should
not be overlooked" said the expert.
"It does not bid for first place, because
| Il Is too dear and because II viii not fill
the bill. but the gas log for use IN mild
weather 20 take the chill off the room
and to give a touch OF 'make-believe
comfort to a cheerless fat has come to
stay."-N. Y. Tribune.