NATURAL GAS. 
47 
If the combustion is not perfect, then carbon monoxide, which is 
a deadly poison, may be formed. The toxic action of this is so 
marked that one-tenth of 1 per cent is enough to produce fatal re- 
sults. This is especially likely to be formed when a flame is suddenly 
impinged on a cold surface, as, for instance, the first few seconds’ 
operation of an instantaneous hot water heater. 
EFFECT OF ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE ON DEMANDS FOR GAS. 
The temperature* of the atmosphere has a direct bearing on the 
demands for natural gas for heating service. However, the quantity 
of cooking, incidental hot water heating, and lighting, is independent 
of the temperature of the atmosphere, and would be practically con- 
stant for the year. The humidity of the atmosphere, direction and 
velocity of wind, and hours of sunshine, also affect gas consumption, 
as far as heating service is concerned. In general a high wind causes 
more of an increase than merely a low temperature. The mean 
monthly temperature curve plotted upside down will always show a 
close relationship between volume of gas used and temperature of 
atmosphere. 
DAILY DEMANDS FOR GAS HEATING SERVICE. 
The daily gas heating consumption to each degree of temperature 
below 70° F., at Louisville, Ky., from mean temperatures ranging 
from 2° on February 2 to 58° on January 29, is shown below. 
It will be noted that the heating service for each degree is larger 
at the warmer temperatures. This is because the general tendency 
is to keep most houses at a higher temperature than necessary, and 
for this reason on account of the cheapness of the gas, and the general 
absence of thermostat control devices, the gas is not used as efficiently. 
Daily gas heating consumption for each degree of temperature beloio 70° F. 
M cubic feet natural gas a day. 
Date. 
Mean tem- 
perature of 
atmosphere, 
degrees F. 
Difference 
between 
mean tem- 
perature 
and 70°, 
70- A. 
Delivered 
to Louis- 
ville. 
Service in- 
dependent 
of atmos- 
pheric 
tempera- 
ture. 
Heating 
service. 
Heating 
service per 
degree be- 
low 70° F. 
(E-v-Bl. 
(A) 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
(S) 
(F) 
1917. 
Feb. 2 
2 
68 
13,209 
4,500 
4,500 
4,500 
4,500 
8,709 
7,693 
6,870 
6,369 
128 
Jan. 14 
10 
60 
12,193 
11,370 
10,869 
9,142 
128 
Jan. 11 
20 
50 
137 
159 
Jan. 26 
30 
40 
Jan. 6 
39 
31 
4,500 
4,500 
4,500 
4,642 
149 
Jan. 3 
48 
58 
22 
12 
7,852 
6,830 
3,352 
152 
Jan. 29 
2,330 
194 
Average 
| 1 
150 
1 1 
! 
