The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-10-09

the nrst OF Two stories on the proper
way to build and maintain furnace FIRE.
BIZ NEA Service
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. g.
Building a furnace fire properly and
making it deliver heat at highest
efficiency are accomplishments few
home owners have been able to
achieve.
1t is imperative that they should,
because on the correct building of
fires depends the size of their coal
bills.
Government officials here state
that Is per cent of a home owners
fuel bills can be saved by burning
coal instead of cooking it." To burn
coal, several steps are necessary.
First, the right size fuel should be
selected for a furnace. The size of
coal is regulated by the draft-a
high draft uses smaller fuel and
low draft uses larger. The size of
the f1repot also regulates the size
of the coal.
Assuming that the furnace has
been cleaned, chimney freed of SCOT,
and the basement made alright,
the first fire is made in the follow
ing manner:
Keep FirepOt Level
First, spread layer of excel
sior or paper on the CRATES. Next, a
layer of light kindling and then
one of heavier wood. On this
spread thin layer of fine coal. Ig-
mite the paper, open the drafts and
damper wide, close the check and
wait for the layer of kindling and
coal to ignite.
When this happens, throw In
more coal and continue until the
tirepot is nearly level full. Then
reduce the draft and open the check.
In adding coal to fire, here is
the recommended practice of the
United Statee bureau of mines:
Too many persons make the mis-
take of covering the entire firebed
each time they add coal. When this
happens, most of the gases are
cooked out and escape up the CHM
ney without being burned.
Heap Fuel to Sides
"The best method is to apply a
heap of fuel on one side of the
furnace and then, when this has
burned down, throw the next heap
on the opposite side. This alter
mating method always exposes a
bed of live Goals to ignite the gases.
"A big fire burning slowly is
cheaper in the long run than a
little fire burning fast. Fast burn
ing means incomplete combustion,
and hence more waste in the ashes"
Keeping a furnace clean saves
coal consumption. Keep out the
cllnkers and ashes. See to it that
at all times live Goals, not dust or
ashes or SCOT or unburned fuel.
are in contact with the heating
surfaces.
Ashes Prevent Heating
Ashes act the same on the heat
ing surfaces of a furnace as insu-
lating material acts on the outside
and on the pipes They prevent
maximum efficiency of coal and
should only be found on the bot
tom Of the fire
Shake down the ashes regularly,
but not too often to prevent them
keeping cold air from striking the
fire direct.
When live Goals begin to appear
with the ashes, stop shaking. These
Goals, if the glow does not die down
Immediately, still have combustible
materials left. The ashes should be
removed in the morning, when they
are cold and less likely to fly
around.
Don't pile coal on the fire twice
a day and leave it for the rest of
the day. Unburned fuel on top of
the fire keeps heat away from the
heating surface Of the furnace.
A properly fired furnace will have
a glowing bed of Goals at all times
except when the furnace is banked