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Heating, Lighting, and Refrigeration: Coke

Coke as Fuel.-Coke is produced in large quantities as a by-product of illuminating gas, and in the vicinity of gas plants in cities it is usually sold at low prices. Coke is cleaner than coal (whether hard or soft), easier to kindle, burns more freely, and leaves a much smaller residue of ash, with practically no cinders or clinkers. The principal objection to its use is, that unless care is taken it may produce too hot a fire. But this difficulty may be overcome by banking the fire after it is well kindled with buckwheat or pea coal.

Gas as Fuel.-The advantages of gas as fuel are manifold, and its use, especially for cooking purposes, is being rapidly extended. It is clean, convenient, and efficient, and will be the most economical fuel when proper arrangements are made for selling it to the public at a reasonable profit.

It is probable that good gas can be manufactured and sold to the public in most localities in the neighborhood of fifty cents a thousand, and that under stress of competition new and approved appliances might be produced that would decrease still further the cost of manufacture. Even at prices ranging from $1 to $1.50 and upward per thousand, the use of gas, if proper care is observed, must be regarded as economical.

HEATING SYSTEMS The principal systems of heating dwelling houses are the use of steam, hot water or hot air, generated by furnaces (located usually in a basement or cellar), and the use of closed coal, oil, or gas stoves, or of open grates, which may be placed in stoves or in fireplaces. Each of these systems has its advantages and disadvantages, but, disregarding the first cost, it is probable that, from the double standpoint of efficiency and economy, they may all be rated about as follows: First, steam; second, hot water; third, hot air; fourth, the open grate; fifth, the closed coal stove; sixth, closed oil stove; seventh, closed gas stove.