AIR CONDITIONING

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 34, 3 November 1933, Page 4

AIR CONDITIONING

Apparatus for the Home

SCIENCE’S NEWEST TASK

There is probably no more modern piece of home equipment than the air conditioner. Science has entered this field with a gusto, and has given a series of air conditioners that will do marvels to inside atmosphere.

The American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers gives in ..a report a definition of air conditioning as “the simultaneous control of those factors affecting both the physical and chemical conditions of the atmosphere within a structure, including temperature, humidity, motion, distribution, dust, bacteria, odours; toxic gases, and ipnisation.” Thus, if a piece of equipment is to be rightly termed an air conditioner, it must control at least three of the factors listed. The three factors which most air conditioners are designed to control are temperature, humidity, and motion or distribution. Temperature, of course, means cooling as well as heating. Cooling, however, may or may not be possible, only to a very limited'degree, in many of the air conditioners.

Cooling, is not, usually, as important as heating. And cooling .may be substituted for by the proper humidity and adequate motion of air. Perhaps the humidity and motion, if properly controlled, will do more to make one comfortable than merely tempering the atmosphere without regard to these other two factors. Air conditions in general depends for a great deal pf its efficiency upon the structure in which it is installed. Insulation, stoppage of air infiltration and of heat loss by radiation must first be adequately attended to before any air conditioning system will be efficient. But with these necessary features properly cared for, the air conditioning idea is a great boon to comfortable, healthful living within doors.