Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 122, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1915 — WHY GAS BILLS ARE HEAVY [ARTICLE]

WHY GAS BILLS ARE HEAVY

Most Wall Papers Absorb a Large Proportion of Light, According > to Scientist. If your gas bills are heavy, don’t blame the dark weather or the extravagance of your housekeeper. Perhaps the fault lies with the wallpaper. It is pointed out by Prof. Sylvanus Thompson, principal of the City Technical college, London, that much light is wasted owing to the use on our walls of paper which absorbs an unduly large proportion of light Before we can look for anything like a sufficient return for the money we spend on light all the rich dark tones, the deep crimson, which is so popular for dining rooms on account of the impression of warmth it gives, and the various shades of brown so much used in libraries and dens, must be replaced by pure white or very light shades which absorb a minimum of light Even when the illumination of & room is ample, it may be badly lit if the absorb too much of that illumination instead of giving it back by diffuse reflection. Few people are aware how much light is thus wasted and thrown away. The deep scarlet and crimson wallpapers waste from 70 to 75 per cent; brown paper wastes about 85 to 88 per cent; even an ordinary yellow or buff wallpaper wastes 50 to 60 per cent of the light for which in most cases, a high price Is paid. On the other hand, white cartridge paper absorbs and wastes only about 80 per cent of the light, while a white-washed wall absorbs 30 to 40 per cenL Prof. Thompson strongly recommends that, both tor economy in artificial lighting and comfort In the daylight lighting of large rooms; the ceilings should be invariably white, and the walls. If not white, should at least be of the very palest tints.