March, 1928 J Electric Dairy Cold Storage 13 



jambs were sealed with overlaps to prevent further leaks. The floor 

 and lower half of the walls were then 'covered with heavy gauge gal- 

 vanized iron to take the wear and make an easily cleaned surface. 



The effect of this improvement in insulation is clearly evident in the 

 curve for 1926 (Fig. 4). The sharp peaks of 1924 and 1925, caused 

 by heavy leakage, disappear to be replaced by a nearly smooth curve 

 showing much better operating characteristics. It will also be noticed 

 that the curve stays well under the 160 kwh. mark, showing a decided 

 saving in current over 1924 and 1925. That the equipment was not 

 favored by mild weather is evident from comparison of the tempera- 

 ture curves for the three years. In fact a week of very warm weather 

 which made an average reading of nearly 90°, the like of which did not 

 occur in 1924 or 1925, placed only a slight additional load on the ecjuip- 

 ment (Sec high point in 1926 curve.) 



Inside tcm})erature readings for the room are not available for 1924 

 and 1925 and only a limited number for 1926. The operator states, 

 however, that in the first two years he believes the temperature ordi- 

 narily was about 45°, running up to nearly 50° on hot days. Inside 

 temi)eraturcs for 1926 were lower by two or three degrees without a 

 change in the thermostat control for average days, and 47° was the 

 highest recorded for the hot spell in July. 



The total expense in improving the insulation was about $15 for 

 material, spare time labor not included. Comparing the current con- 

 sumption for 1925 and 1926 (length of time of operation being about 

 the same) a saving of $15.61 occurred in 1926 which may possibly be 

 credited to the improvement of the insulation. It would seem safe to 

 say that two years of operation will pay for stopping the leaks. In ad- 

 dition lower temperatures are more easily maintained in the room, es- 

 pecially in hot weather when most needed. 



The current used by the dairy cold storage was 47.2% of the total 

 farm current consumption in 1925 and 37.4% in 1926. This is on a 

 farm where no large size heating devices are used. (For rates here 

 used and farm equipment see University of New Hampshire Experiment 

 Station Bulletin 228, "Electricity on New England Farms.") 



Farm No. 4. On this farm year-round operation is favored because 

 it is felt that the cost of operating in the cold months is easily paid 

 for in milk and cream saved from damage by the uncertainties of 

 natural temperatures. The 135 kwhs. for 1926 is the average of 

 8^4 months and is, therefore, higher per month though the total for the 

 year is less than in 1927. On a basis of twelve months' operation the 

 amount per month drops to 125 kwhs. with a total for the year of 1505 

 kwhs. The corresponding costs are $4.26 and $3.94. A graphic record 

 of the 1926 run is shown in Figs. 7 to 13. 



The current consumed by the cold storage represents 18.8% of the 

 total fai-m consumption in 1926, which increases to 27.5% in 1927 due 

 to the twelve months' use of the equipment. 



Farm No. 1. The most favorable operating conditions of any of the 

 three farms are found here and consequently the least number of months 

 of operation as well as the lowest total current consumption. The val- 

 ues given in Table 3 appear graphically in Figure 5. 



The current consumed by this cold storage represents 11.1% of the 



