Evening star., 1935-02-09
AirConditioning
Modernizins Campaisn
Boosts Air Conditioning
For ALI Type Homes.
BY LAWRENCE TUCKER.

The gigantic campaign for home
modernization recently begun BY the
Federal Housing Administration
throughout the country should enable
the owners Of homes, both large and
small, to enjoy the benefits Of air con-
ditioning.
There are many methods by which
the newest type Of equipment can be
applied 70 home renovizing, and there
also are many things that can be done
to the present heating plants, cleo
trical control systems and building
construction that will improve air con-
ditions and be Of great benefit from
an economic standpoint as well as to
health.
The average house or business office
is practically a sieve as far as heat is
concerned. The amount of fuel that
is burned in the basement, converted
into heat and transported up into the
house through piping or air ducts Is
usually far in excess Of the quantity
that would be burned if proper pre-
cautions were taken to hold the heat
inside the house. Instead, heat
passes unhindered through the walls
and ceilings, and money is, figurative-
" speaking, burned in the furnace.
The use of some sort Of insulation is
one Of the simplest possible methods
of cutting down fuel costs, and the
price of q complete insulating job
will be saved in a very few years.
There are many methods Of applying
this material and the home owner will
do well 10 seriously consider blanket
ing his house against the onslaughts
of both Winter and Summer weather
Conservation Of Heat.
This use of insulation is far from
being the only one that can be ap-
piled easily and with a resultant saw
ing to the owner. Steam and hot wa
ter pipes should be covered in all
exposed places so that valuable heat
will be retained and carried up to the
radiators with a minimum loss. Air
ducts for hot-air heating systems
should be covered, and in addition to
cutting down heat losses it will mini
mize the fire hazard. Boilers should
be covered with a protective shell OF
insulation. This covering should be
repaired il 1t has been broken of dur
ing the years of operation of the heat
ing plant. 1t will pay to cover the
hot-water storage tank with some
kind Of insulation so that unused wa
ter will retain its heat.
OF course, the manufacture and
distribution of heat are very impor-
tant factors in the maintaining Of
proper air conditions during the heat
ing season. but there are many small
things that can be done to the build
ing structure itself that will make
operation more efficient and econom-
ical Weather stripping is a very
simple method of cutting down the
entrance Of cold air. 1t is relatively
simple matter to weather-strip the
doors and windows of a house, and
the job can be done at surprisingly
low figure.
Inspection for Cracks.
In addition to the installation Of
weather stripping, it is wise to have
a brick contractor, timer or carpen-
! ter look over the walls themselves for
possible cracks. as well as the roof
structure for loose shingles and holes
that will admit air to the attic space
| An amazing number of these little
defects will usually be found, and they
all contribute largely to high fuel
costs, drafts and other unpleasant
| air conditions.
The chimney should be examined
for any cracks that have occurred in