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AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



October, 1905 



Science for the Home 



Humidity Within the House 



HERE is a most mistaken notion that humid- 

 ity is a source of discomfort and annoyance. 

 That much suffering is caused in summer 

 by an excess of humidity is unquestionably 

 true; but the relationship between tempera- 

 ture and humidity is far from being under- 

 stood, and particularly the part humidity takes in the heat- 

 ing economy of the house in the winter. 



That the average American house is too highly heated in 

 winter will be admitted without qualification ; it is a character- 

 istic of almost every American interior where coal can be had 

 for consumption. It is, of course, necessary to keep warm 

 in our cold and trying winters, and the commonplace way of 

 doing so is to burn up as much coal as possible. 



Scientific study of the heating problem has, however, de- 

 monstrated that the best way to heat a house, the safest way 

 in which to keep warm, is to burn coal in a scientific way, 

 using it properly, getting the most out of it, and conducting 

 the performance with the aid of scientific apparatus con- 

 trived to secure the best results. 



Some very curious effects have been noted from the study 

 of heating conditions. Rooms in which the temperature is 

 higher than that of other rooms on other days feel colder 

 to the occupants than when the room thermometer reads 

 less. Investigation has brought out the remarkable fact that 

 there is a direct relationship between the effect of tempera- 

 ture and the moisture in the air. In other words, given two 

 rooms of equal temperature, the one with the greater humid- 

 ity will feel the warmer; or, put it another way, the room 

 which has the greater humidity will require less temperature, 



as recorded by the thermometer, than the one which is drier. 

 The obvious conclusion from such observations is that a 

 proper relationship must be maintained between the humidity 

 and the temperature of our houses. Dr. Henry Mitchell 

 Smith, who has given much time to the investigation of this 

 subject, suggests about 60 per cent., never less than 50 

 per cent, nor more than 70. With such a percentage of 

 humidity a temperature of 65 degrees F. is found amply 

 sufficient and comfortable. 



Two results follow from a proper adjustment of the re- 

 lationship between temperature and humidity. There is 

 greater personal comfort and less danger from disease, be- 

 cause with this adjustment comes a more healthful atmos- 

 phere. The humidity within the house bears a more scien- 

 tific relationship to that without, a condition quite essential 

 to good health in winter. 



The second result is the economy in the consumption of 

 fuel. This is a matter that directly affects every producer of 

 heat, and is a topic to the importance of which every house- 

 holder is keenly alive. It means, moreover, obtaining better 

 results, with less cost; that is to say, quite sufficient tempera- 

 ture and more sanitary living conditions. 



The relationship of humidity to temperature within the 

 house is, therefore, a subject of great practical importance. 

 Hydrometers and moistening apparatus, of a good kind, 

 properly applied and the latter well regulated, are thus very 

 essential to the scientific equipment of the house, and have 

 a real and practical value quite apart from their scientific 

 interest. Even if their use is not now general, the time is not 

 far distant when they will be used more than at present. 



Heating the House 



October is the month when the thoughts of the house- 

 keeper are irresistibly impelled toward the subject of heating 

 the house. There is no choice in the matter; it is a subject 

 that presents itself with unfailing regularity. It is a topic 

 of the first importance, and a vast industry has grown up 

 around it, while much thought and care have been devoted to 

 it, all with the laudible purpose of providing the best way 

 of obtaining the most heat at the lowest cost. 



Heating conditions vary so much with the localities that 

 no one general set of rules can be laid down which would even 

 so much as govern one place. The heating problem is quite 

 as individual as the furnishing problem; what will seem best 

 for one house may not answer for another, although the ex- 

 periences gained by one householder will often furnish profit- 

 able subjects for discussion and examination by others. 



Notwithstanding that very elaborate apparatus can now 

 be had for heating the house, the old-fashioned stove and the 

 still more old-fashioned open grate are still with us and still 

 have their value and utility. It is not always possible to 

 heat a house, and especially a country house, with a furnace, 

 and the stove in many different forms holds its own against 

 the claims of other devices calculated to produce better re- 

 sults with greater efficiency. The open fireplace is, of course, 

 wasteful in heat, and hence wasteful in fuel; but it likewise 

 has its utility and its charm is very great. 



There are many more modern forms of heating apparatus : 

 the furnace for hot air; the combination of hot water and 

 hot air; hot water and steam, the latter being applied both 

 in low pressure and in high pressure. This brief summary, 



however, by no means exhausts the list, nor does it indicate 

 the very varied combinations and devices which are supplied 

 under these general heads. Of furnaces, for example, there 

 are three general kinds, portable, fixed and twin, the latter 

 being a doubled form of fixed furnace. To these should be 

 added fan furnaces, large heating apparatus supplied with 

 fans and suited to the heating of churches, schools and other 

 large buildings. 



In the hot water and hot air combination system the hot 

 gases are made to pass over a water heating surface sus- 

 pended over the fire, a device that effects some saving in fuel, 

 but which hinders ventilation, since in direct radiation the 

 same air is used over and over again in any room. Steam 

 heating combinations are also sometimes combined with the 

 furnace, an arrangement that it is claimed has quick heat- 

 ing ability and requires the use of smaller radiators; it is, 

 however, very sensitive to the condition of the fire. 



The final great group of heating apparatus includes those 

 for heating with hot water and steam. This comprises a 

 vast variety of systems and apparatus, many of which have 

 special claims for consideration. It is with one form or 

 another of such apparatus that the larger number of build- 

 ings and dwellings are now heated where the intention is to 

 provide the most approved appliances, the kinds that give the 

 best results and with the utmost economy of combustion. 

 Individual conditions, in most cases, will determine which 

 system to use and which apparatus is best suited for indi- 

 vidual needs. It is impossible to advise specifically, except in 

 actual cases and with full knowledge of all the facts. 



