INSULATION OF HOMES

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32011, 11 June 1969, Page 16

INSULATION OF HOMES

Combating Air Pollution By insulating their ceiling spaces Christchurch homeowners could save heat and the reduction of the fuel burned would assist in preventing air pollution, Cr N G. Pickering, chairman of the health and clean air committee of the City Council, said yesterday.

Under the Smoke Restriction Regulations the council had some control of industrial and commercial sources of pollution and limited control over vehicle pollution was provided by the Traffic Regulations, but there was no control over pollution from dwellings, he said. The burning of raw coal in domestic open fires was one of the major sources of smoke and was also a very inefficient use of fuel. The only heat obtained in a room was radiant heat and it was only 15 to 17 per cent efficient in its use of the heating value of the coal. Most of the heat was lost up to the chimney to the outside air.

Home insulation would provide a more comfortable home and reduce the amount of fuel used to provide adequate space- heating, Cr Pickering said. Christchurch had many winter days in which the temperature fell below 60 degrees and on which heating was necessary. Insulation could save a lot of the heat.