COOLING BREEZES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 244, 5 January 1928, Page 12

COOLING BREEZES

COMFORT OF THE ELECTRIC FAN Many electrical devices possess the distinct merit of saving work in the home, while most of them also provide the additional advantage of cleanliness which contributes to-ward the general improvement of hygienic conditions in the home. Perhaps the electric fan tends more to promote good health than any of the other domestic electrical appliances —in fact, it has been designed to promote comfort and health. The old theory regarding ventilation was that so long as the windows or doors were open and the air “fresh” the living conditions of a room were satisfactory, but scientific investigation showed that a gentle current of air was also essential, which the electric fan very conveniently provides, at a small cost, and without creating draughts. We all know how oppressive is a still summer day or night, yet, although the temperature on the following day may be actually higher, the presence of a light freeze gives a distinctly cooling effect. This is because the moving air increases evaporation from the skin. This may sound rather subtropical in view of our erratic climate, which gives us two cold or chilly days for every warm, sunny one. Whatever the temperature may be outside, however, the rooms in our homes, smoke rooms of clubs, restaurants, dance halls, and similar places all get

stuffy from time to time, and this is where the circulating air produced by an electric fan is a great advantage. For ordinary domestic use the housewife has the choice of the fixed table fan and the oscillating fan, and if she is wise she will expend a few more shillings in the, purchase of the latter —at any rate for the larger rooms of the house. An oscillating fan is one which swings automatically from side to side, and - so stirs the air over a wide range. On the other hand, the fixed fan, while performing equally valuable service, does not swing from side to side, and if a cooling breeze is desired in any particular corner of the room the face of the fan must be so directed by turning the pedestal round. Like the oscillating fan, it can also be tilted upwards or downwards. A further development of this class of fan is the bracket type, which permits of the pedestal being turned up in a vertical direction and fastened on to the wall. Not only do electric fans add to the comfort of living rooms, but also prove very acceptable in bedrooms, especially when such are built in the roof of the house. Such rooms often become very hot and oppressive during the summer months.

An electric fan often proves a veritable boon in the kitchen, which in summer is often uncomfortably hot, even when equipped with electric cooking appliances. A fan will keep away that summer pest—the house fly, and will serve to provide a breeze to dry clothes or washing on a wet day. It thus becomes useful in winter as well as in summer.