RADIATOR HEATING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18635, 29 April 1924, Page 9

RADIATOR HEATING.

FAVOURED BY ARCHITECTS. THE AUCKLAND DIFFICULTY. STEAM HEATING NOT UPHELD. The trouble over the limitation of the use of electric radiators in the business area was the subject of a conference yesterday between the Electric Power Board and several members of the Auckland Institute of Architects. The chairman of the board, Mr. W. J Holdsworth, said the difficulty was in. heating the large modem buildings by electricity, when the current was needed for so short a period each year. Similarly, the clients of the architects did not want to put in heating apparatus. If the board had to heat these buildings, it would have to build another station at great cost. Other provisions had been made abroad for the heating of buildings. M-r. G. W. Allsop said the period of radiation was easily four months a year, and not two months, as stated by the board's engineer. Radiator heating was a necessity. In America, where the temperature was much colder, a much more powerful method, that of steam heating, was used. The piping of a building meant unsightliiiess, inconvenience, and increased cleaning work. The electric radiator had many advantages, and it seemed a pity that the difficulty was not solved.

Mr. F. L. Moodie also spoke in favour of electric heating as hot water or steam was not altogether suitable. Mr. H. 0. Grierson said that architects were not in a position to make an alternative proposal. The amount of heating required in Auckland buildings did not justify any private firm installing steam heating. Moreover, if that were done, the town would be filled with smoke-stacks, which must be undesirable and not economical. It might be possible to use a portion of the city's night lighting for heating. He pleaded for the radiator, which gave a clean and healthy method of heating. Mr. E. EL Potter,, a member of the board, said he was not altogether in sympathy with other members of tho board. Architects should not be persuaded to omit electric heating points when planning buildings. Mr. .8. J. Harbutt described the question as one of pounds, shillings and pence. If it was not right for an individual to pay, was it right for the community to pay ? The chairman said the subject was bristling with difficulties. The board had dealt with it with an open mind, and had set itself against a heavy radiator load. Mr. J. Park said he thought the conference was not of the right sort. Those who were actually dealing with the problem should all meet in conference. It was decided to defer the matter for a month, to give the Institute of Architects an opportunity to discuss it.