FACTS ABOUT GAS METERS

Evening Star, Issue 17312, 27 March 1920, Page 5

FACTS ABOUT GAS METERS

The engineer has come to the rescue of the gas meter, and purposes to put it on a plane so high and honorable that hereafter the little ticking instrument wiil be compared with the automatic scale or the cash register for downright honesty. The engineers, after experiments and investigations, assert that they have perfected a meter which will register only the heat units going through the meter. Then when the gas flame chokes and sputters and d-o----cides to continue its expensive existence, the wheels of the meter will turn no faster;_ in fact, will not record the chug. What it is goes through the pipea to cause these financial gymnastics by the presentday meters no one knows—at least the patron does not—but in the coming meter the gymnastics will be gladly missing-. If the gas stove sets the water boiling twice as fast as before, or the gas log gets the room up to a living temperature quickly, one will know that real gas, something that will burn and leave the heat behind, is being pumped through the pipes. At the same time you will know that you are paying for something that is being delivered. And many ga3 user 3 suspect that a lot of hot air or "cold air—at least 'something that will not burn—has been and_ is being forced through the pipes, First tests of the new meter axe to be made in England before the machine has, been perfected by the engineers of that country. Tho Fuel Research Board of England have given their aid to the investigating engineers, and recommend that the change be adopted. .It is likelv that a Bill will be introduced in Parliament bv Fir Auckland Geddes to enforce the cliange. Then the basis for tho monthly gas bill, whether the commodity be employed for heating or lighting, will be based" on the heat units." The English .Research Fuel Board believe that the new meter will increase the use of gas for fuel largely in industries. The board report that at present one-tenth of the coal produced in the British Is'es is , employed in the manufacture-of gas.—Now York ' Sun.'