Fireless days

Press, 18 June 1980, Page 24

Fireless days

Sir, — In reply to critics of my letter (June 9) categorical claims that domestic electric heating is 100 per cent efficient and 80 per cent of the heat from open fires goes up the chimney are based on ignorance, prejudice or deceit. Electricity would ba nearer the 20 per cent attributed to open fires than 100 per cent. Efficiency is subject to many variables. Electricity, is clean, quick and convenient but has its disadvantages, principally the inevitable price rises which must follow the blanket ban on open fires, Christchurch is doing more to boost the price of electricity than any other city, demanding unwarranted expenditure and increasing hardships. There are better ways of controlling pollution than a total ban on all fires which, burning natural fuels, especially wood are the healthiest, most efficient, economical and cheapest method of home heating except in high population density areas such as the inner city where subsidised gas is preferable. Yours, etc.,

L. H. CARMICHAEL. June 16, 1980;