Gas, Electric and Kerosene Heaters

77. Kinds of Gas Heaters. There are several types of gas heaters—those using an illuminating flame and reflector, those fitted with a Bunsen burner and an asbestos back, and those heating water in a device like a radiator. The last two burn with a blue flame. All gas stoves ought to be fitted with a flue for discharging the products of combustion.

78. Bunsen Burner and Asbestos-Back Heater. The burner is a long pipe punctured with holes extending across the stove. There is an opening for mixing of air with the gas at the point where this pipe enters the stove, and a valve to regulate the flow of gas (Fig. 39).

79. Lighting Gas Stoves. To light the stove, open the valve, count three, and apply a lighted match to the burner. Counting three gives time for the pipe to fill with gas, so that the fire will not flash back and burn in the air mixer.

80. Care of Gas Stoves. The only care that this stove needs is to keep it polished so that it will not rust. Keep the burner clean of dust and soot. Be sure that the valve is entirely closed when the gas is turned off, and that the pipes fit tight at all connections so that gas cannot leak into the room.

81. Illuminating Flame and Bright Metal Reflector Heaters. These heaters are used with manufactured gas. They burn with an illuminating flame since there is no device for mixing air with the gas as it enters the stove. The bright metal reflector not only makes an attractive stove, but reflects the heat out into the room. Some stoves are made with tips of aluminum or other non-corrosive metal over the openings in the burner (Fig. 40). Gas logs are a type of gas heaters used in fireplaces (Fig. 41).

82. Gas Radiator Heaters. Gas radiators (Fig. 42) are another type of gas heater. The radiator is a coil of pipe. The heating unit is below the coil and works like any other Bunsen burner. A small amount of water is kept in the pipes. There is a device attached to the radiator to automatically adjust the height of the gas fire (A, Fig. 42).

83. Management of Gas Radiator. Put enough water in the radiator or coil of pipe to fill it to the depth of one inch. Keep this amount of water in it at all times.

Light a match, turn on the valve which lets gas flow into the burner, wait for it to fill with gas, and touch the match to the burner.

Most of these heaters are fitted with thermostats.

In about thirty minutes after lighting the gas, the water will have formed enough steam inside the radiator to automatically turn the valve lowering the gas flame. If the steam pressure falls low, the thermostat will permit more gas to flow into the radiator by automatically opening the valve.

There is a safety valve attached to the side of the radiator which opens if the automatic device fails to close off the gas before the steam pressure inside becomes too great.

84. Kerosene Heaters. Kerosene heating stoves have burners like those used on kerosene cook stoves. (See Chapter III.) Surrounding, or about, the burner is a jacketed air space. Here air is heated and rises to the upper part of the room while fresh air from the lower part of the room is drawn thru the jacket. Some heat is also given off by radiation. Fig. 43 shows a picture of an oil heater.

The burners of these stoves should be cared for the same way as the ones on cooking stoves. The stove should be kept polished and free from dust. This prevents it from rusting. Wipe off any kerosene which may accumulate on the outside, for it makes an unpleasant odor.

Take care in moving kerosene stoves not to jar the chimney or other parts of the burner out of place; otherwise the stove will smoke.

When the stove is lighted, turn the burner quite low. The flame will become higher as the parts of the stove become heated.

85. Electric Heaters. The electric heaters (Fig. 44) are composed of one or more coils of wire thru which the electric current flows with difficulty. This heats the coils so hot that they glow. A reflector throws the heat out into the room. The coil and reflector are attached to a pedestal. They are desirable for use in rooms which are not quite warm enough. Care must be taken to avoid getting an electric shock from electric heaters, as from any other electrical appliances. If the stove seems to be out of order, have it put in order before using. Take care not to touch a water pipe or gas pipe at the same time when touching the heater in the bathroom, as there is a possibility of getting a shock.

86. Acetylene Heaters. Acetylene heaters are similar to the Bunsen burner and asbestos-back gas heaters. They are provided also with copper side reflectors. They are used only in localities where gas or electricity cannot be had.

Questions for Part II