, 1922-09-15
Keep the Air Moist

The attention of The public has oft
en- been called to the Importance OF
securing a proper amount OF moisture
in the air OF heated rooms in winter.
Hithsrto little attention seems to have
been paid TO this subject by most per
sons. The fact that the water costs
substantially nothing n that with
its use it is possible to save some rs
per sent OF the coei otherwise neces-
sary for heating purposes did not
seem to be an inducement to make
the little effort required to secure the
desirable result.
1t is MOI proposed to false the room
humidity to a point even equal to that
prevailing in the outside air. For
healthful conditions the house temper
allure should range from IS to eS' de-
grees with a humidity Of approx
mately 60 degrees,
For p dwelling house OF moderate
size this means the addition to h air
OF from two to fou gallons of water
in the form Of vapor in each "a hours,
and in exceptionally cold weather as
much as nine gallons.
No one can well take exception to
the recommended temperature limits
and house humidity. for they are pre-
cisely the same as those Of a mild
day in May or June. This ought TO be
sufficient answer to those vic sug-
gest that a soggy atmosphere is be-
ing advocated.
When the temperature outside drops
below 30 degrees the heating of the
outdoor air to a temperature of APP
proximately ~ degrees reduces the
humidity 40 less than 80 per cent This
does not mean hat there is less water
in the air. It merely means that at a
temperature of ~ degrees the air is
capable OF holding much more water.
1t ought to be evident without argu-
ment that it is trying to the air pas
sag of the lungs to pass constantly
from a humidity Of less than so per
cent to one approximately 40 per cent.
There is another advantage in hav-
ing moisture in the house air in that
it does way with the sensation OF
draft, giving a more uniform tempera.
ture to all parts of a room, and with
a moderate degree of heat giving a
sensation of greater warmth.
In very cold weather it is unneces-
sary 40 force the heating apparatus to
its utmost capacity. which is a waste
of time and coal.
In furnace heated houses a sufficient
supply of water must be brought near
enough to the firepot to evaporate the
needed mount. 1t is worth while to
run an outlet from the water supply
into the hot air space. and this may.
If IL Is desired. be arranged to supply
the water automatically. However,
there is little trouble in turning 1t on
by hand whenever coal is added to the
furnace.
In many cases the problem would
be that of a tenant in a steam heated
building in a single room or apartment
under his control. Water containers
can be had which fit closely to the
pipes Of radiators or moistened cloths
placed on the radiator will supply the
moisture necessary.
In very cold weather the hotel dwell
er having a room and bath can quick
ly make livable a room which is a lit
tie too cold for comfort by drawing
a rev inches of hot water into the
bathtub. The change of temperature
will be negligible. but the difference in
comfort will be amazing.
One test Of whether the air Of 4
building is properly moistened is
whether delicate plants will grow sat
i~sfactorily without being kept under
glass. Another test is whether the
, windows tend to frost in frosty wealth
er rt they do non the air is too dry.
In pnfstA DWELLING it is customary