A TREATISE ON THE HEATING AND VENTILATING OF DWELLING HOUSES, 15 111001 ffilWW, tittttYCfet*, AND ALL KINDS OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, WITH FULL DIRECTIONS FOR Using, Managing and Setting Furnaces and Oooking Eanges ; and a Statement of the kind of Coal best adapted for use in them, BY WALTEli BRYENT, After Twenty-Five YoAb Experience in Putting up and Managing Furnaces and Ranges BOSTON: J. H. & F. F. FARWELL, PRINTERS. 18 6 1. HEATING AND VENTILATING. The Heating and Ventilating of public and private build- ings is one of the most important matters in domestic economy. More money has probably been spent, foolishly, in attempting to gain heat and ventilation economically, by persons without knowledge or experience in the business, than for any other single article in domestic use. Probably not one-fourth of all the furnaces and ranges put up, are used more than two or three years before they are taken down and replaced by others, and in many cases by others no better, causing great and needless expense to the proprietors. Many persons complain of the quality of the heat they obtain from their furnaces. In many instances their com- plaints are not groundless. Many furnaces are so constructed that after being in use for a short time their joints get open and gas leaks into the air-chamber. This is a very unpleasant as well as unhealthy effect. The joints in these instances are usually formed by bolting two flat surfaces together, with cement between them. As one part usually heats and cools quicker than the other, the unequal expansion and contraction of the iron will soon loosen the cement, allowing it to work out and form a crack, through which the gas escapes to the air-chamber. Another error of the same kind is, that the different parts are often bolted tightly together, so that when one part expands sooner or more than the other, a crack in the iron is usually produced, and often before the furnace has been but a very short time in use. Still another great mistake is to put radiators on the back of furnaces, so as to force gas and smoke down them by closing dampers. Every one who has used furnaces knows the difficulty of making servants pay proper attention to their management, in this and other par- 4 HEATING AND VENTILATING. ticulars. There are also other objections. It is almost impossible to construct upright joints so that the expansion and contraction of the iron will not open them sufficiently for the gas to escape into the air-chamber. They also ope- rate rather as condensers than as radiators of heat, as forcing the gas and smoke down them checks the current so much that you cannot use dampers in the smoke pipes leading to the flues. Thus more heat will escape by this defect than by let- ting it pass directly from the top of the furnace to the flue, with a damper in it, properly managed. Another great objec- tion to most furnaces, is the small amount of available radia- ting surface allowed. They have to be made very hot to heat the air sufficiently to warm the apartments depending on them. The air is very much injured by being over-heated in coming in contact with red-hot iron, and the latter itself is soon destroyed if over-heated. Another error I can point out and correct from my own experience. I have experimented for the last fifteen years in lining furnaces with brick and stone. I have found the prac- tice very expensive, and the source of much difficulty in their management. It requires great care to prevent their clinker- ing up so as to nearly fill the pot, interfering with the turning of the grate to clear it out properly. My experience has taught me that furnaces should be very simple in their construction. The radiating surface should be very large, so that no part of it should ever become red-hot. The joints should be so constructed that there should never be a strain on the different parts, and so that the packing cannot work out by the expansion or contraction of the iron. The thickness of the castings must be so proportioned that all .parts will heat equally, or as nearly so as possible. There should be but one damper, and that in the smoke pipe, near the fur- nace.^ It is also advisable to put a collar in the smoke pipe, between the damper and flue, with a stopper, so that it can be drawn out to admit the cold air into the pipe, to check and BRYENT S RADIATING FURNACE. 5 regulate the draft. By this means the melting of the coal and the formation of clinkers may be avoided. I have constructed a Furnace, which six years use in many of the best dwelling houses, churches and school houses of Boston and vicinity, has proved to be the best ever introduced. Hundreds who have had much experience in their use, will testify to this fact. The following is a description of it: This Furnace is constructed with an iron base and ash pit, similarly to several others. It has a recess front, connecting the ash-pit and feeding apparatus, with large doors for remov- ing the ashes and cinders, and for putting in the fuel. The front is so attached to the base and mouth-piece that it can 6 BRYENT S RADIATING FURNACE. rise and fall without straining the iron or opening the joints, as the iron heats and expands. This precaution prevents the escape of gas. The pot is very thick, and considerably sm aller at the bottom than top. It is formed with perpendic- ular scallops. At the top is a large, deep groove, to receive the top, or mouth-piece. Directly over the fire is a large dome or half globe, so formed that in their radiation from the fire in the pot, the rays of heat will strike every part of it, and will heat every part of it as hot as the pot containing the fire. At the bottom of the dome, near the fire, a flange is thrown off, and upon the outside a series of small columns, connected with it, run to the top radiator, directly over the dome, so that the gas and smoke, after rising to the top of the dome arc drawn down near the fire, and thus a large portion of the gas is consumed. From thence it passes up all the columns into the outer edge of the radiator, and then to its centre, where it enters the smoke pipe and goes to the chimney. There is no outlet at the top of the dome, but the smoke, gas and heat are drawn down and passes up all the small columns. By this means the heat is divided equally in all parts of the radiator. No damper is required, so that the neg- lect of those having charge of the Furnace, does not deprive them of the benefits of all its radiating surface. As the sur- face of this Furnace is one-third larger than that of any other in the market, and so constructed that the benefit from it must all the time be available, any one can judge whether it is not more economical, and easier to manage than any other pat- tern. One other great advantage in, this Furnace is the man- ner in which the joints are constructed. Every joint is a cup joint. The top of every piece has a groove about one inch wide and an inch deep, with a corresponding edge opposite, running to the bottom of the groove in the centre. When the Furnace is put up these grooves are filled half full of fire proof cement, then filled up# with sand, and the castings worked down through the sand and cement to the bottom of bryent's radiating furnace. 7 the groove. There is plenty of room for expansion and con- traction without straining the iron, and as the cement can never get out, the joints are kept perfectly tight, rendering it impossible for any gas to escape to the air-chamber. One other very important matter in constructing the castings, is properly to proportion them in thickness. In this Furnace this object is attained, and every part heats nearly alike. The surface is so great that no part of it heats red hot, and consequently it will never burn out, or over-heat the air. We always admit a large volume of cold air, which is moderately heated, and does not come in contact with over- heated iron. Then no gas leaks into the chamber, and plenty of water to mingle with the air as it diffuses itself through the chamber. So we acquire, what is the highest result we ever hope to attain in any furnace, a pure summer atmosphere, economically attained, and with less trouble than by any other means. When put up under our direction, we will warrant these furnaces to last for twenty years without repairs, if properly used, and to consume twenty per cent, less fuel than any other furnace in the market. We manufacture six sizes to be set in brick, and six sizes that are portable. The largest size, the " Mt. Etna," is one quarter larger than any other furnace in the market, and is designed expressly for heating the larger churches, school houses, and other public buildings. We have never failed, in any instance to give perfect satisfaction when the size we recommend is adopted, so that those wanting furnaces can be sure of avoiding the expense and trouble of changes, by adopting this pattern. This Furnace received the highest pre- mium at the last Mechanics' Fair, and the judges pronounced it to be the best exhibited. testimonials. PORTABLE FURNACE. We append hereto a few of the many testimonials received from some of the gentlemen, best qualified to express an opinion on the subject, in the Commonwealth. TESTIMONIALS. m t> . .. „ „ 0ld Cambridge, Mass., March, 1861. Messrs. Bryent If Co.,— Gentlemen: I am very much pleased with the operation of your Furnace. It has given me perfect satis- faction, affording me plenty of heat and being very easy to manage. 1 can with pleasure recom- mend it for its great heating powers, its simplicity and economy. Every one who uses it must be pleased with it. JOHN PRYOR, D. D. Messrs. Bryent * Read,-Gentlemen: "*' ™ *"""« ^ ^^ ™1' I have received the gridiron and shall give it a careful trial, and report to you. The Range I am entirely satisfied with, so far, and my Oook says it is the best she ever used. I shall take pleasure in directing the attention of my clients to it. Tour obed't servant. I DW. C. CABOT TESTIMONIALS. 9 Messrs. Bryent if Co.,— Gents : As you requested my opinion of the merits of your Furnace, I am happy to say that I have never seen a Furnace that works so satisfactory as yours does that was put into the Harvard Street Church in place of another Furnace. The operation of yours is much more satisfactory- Also when I was finishing the school house in High Street Place, your Furnaces were in opera" tion and gave perfect satisfaction. I have had considerable experience in Furnaces as a builder and can recommend them with perfect satisfaction s>nd confidence to be reliable Furnaces. Resjeef ty> Boston, Aug.2. 18 1. BENJ. H. FLANDERS. Boston, March 3d, 1860. Messrs. Bryent § Co.,—Gents: The Furnace you put into the Old South Chapel last fall, has operated to the perfect satisfac- tion of myself and the society. It has given an abundance of heat in the coldest of weather , and I can with entire confidence, recommend them to all those in want of Furnaces, as being perfectly adapted for heating Churches and other public buildings. I have had charge of the Old South Church for the last eighteen years, and during that period we have used four different kinds of Furnaces, of the best patterns we could select, but none of hem will compare with the one now in use of your manufacture, for economy, simplicity and efliciency. I believe that all persons who try them will confirm the above statement. WILLIAM LEARNED. Boston, January lith, 1860. Mr. Walter Bryent:—At your request I will give you the result of the operation of the Furnace you put into my house. Some two years since, I put into my house what I felt confident was the best Furnace in the market; also from the great number of recommendations I had presented to me, I felt sure I could not be mistaken in my decision, but after one years trial, I found that I could not make it answer, and last fall I had it removed and one of yours put in, and it has worked much better than the other and given me entire satisfaction; and I can with perfect confidence, recommend it to all to those in want of one, as I believe it is the best Furnace in the market. (Signed,) JOSEPH PRATT, No. 2C0 Shawmut Avenue. Of the Firm of Bowers, Pratt & Co. Dedham, Mill Tillage, 1861. Messrs. Bryent tf Co.— Gents: We have tried different kinds of Furnaces for heating our school houses, but with the same result. InySevere cold weather, the children have had to be dismissed to go home and warm themselvesf as the furnace was incapable of heating the house. Last year the district decided to build an addition to their present house, consisting of four large rooms. As there was a strong antipathy against Furnaces (resulting from our previous experience). I was requested as Chair- man of the Building Committee, to examine and see which would be the most economical, stoves or a Furnace. After examining the different kinds of Furnaces and stoves, we decided to take one of your Mt. Etna Furnaces, and I am happy to say that the result has been most satisfac- tory. As the Furnace has required but little care, has furnished ample heat for four rooms, each 26£ x 30 J feet, at a great saving of fuel, and from our experience, lean say that your Fur- nace is the most economical and best adapted for public buildings of any one that I have ever seen. Respectfully yours, T. F. HUTCHINS. Cambridge, Feb. 22, 1861. Messrs. Bryent $ Co.,— Gents : I think it my duty to say to all who wish for a good article, that out of the eight different kind, of Furnaces I now have in use, yours gives the best; satisfaction, they are so durably constructed. No leaking of gas, pleasant heat, easily managed, economy in fuel, all these combine to make it the best Furnace to my knowledge in use. ANDREW S. WAITT, Supt. of Buildings, Harvard College. 2 10 TESTIMONIALS. Messrs. W. Bryent tf Co.,— Gentlemen : We are glad of the opportunity, to render our testimony in favor of your Furnaces. The one we had of you for the new Episcopal Church, on Broadway, works to our entire satisfaction . The building being high (about 60 feet), and open roofed, it was thought to be a matter of doubt whether one furnace would furnish sufficient heat for the coldest weather, and at the same time be adapted to furnish a low degree of heat in comparatively mild weather. But we speak from knowledge and experience when we say that it is perfectly adapted to furnish any degree of heat that may be required, that it is so constructed as to be very easily managed, emits no gas, and that the air is much more pleasant and pure than it is when heated by stoves. We, therefore, take great pleasure in recommending your Furnaces to all who want them for a nurnose similar to our own. „ m purpose sum , " Commonwealth Avenue. Samuel G. Snelling," " " Henry b dwards, " " " George H. Peters, " Boylston Street. Messrs. Standish & Woodbury. Daniel Davies, Esq., Boylston Street. Joel Wheeler, " Dwight Street. Isaih Atkins, " Kingston Street. M. S. Lincoln, " Montgomery Place. Nathaniel Adams, " Upton Street. Holmes Hinkly, " " " B.L.Allen, " Tremont Street. S. G. Cheever, " Haymarket Square. Lyman Mason, " Tremont Street. Rev. Dr. Nicholson, Louisburg Square. Charles T. Reed. West Cedar Street. John Howe, Esq . Ashland Place. Homes Hinkley, Esq., Upton Street. Barrey Cory, Washington Street. John H. Pearson, Esq., Mt. Vernon St. Joseph Pratt, " Blackstone Square. Holmes Ammidown, Esq., Tremont Street. George Davis, Esq., Upton Street. Jacob Bacon, " Canton Street. Caleb Stowell, " Boston. Eliphalet Baker, " Tremont Street. Tuttle, Howe & Co., Dwight Street. Albert Day, Esq., " '• Nathaniel Enowles, Esq., Dwight Street. Walter S. Robinson, " Concord Street. J. C. Pillsbury, " " " John Sawyer, " Dover Street. Isreal M. Rice, " School Street. New York Central R. R. Office, Washington St Charles C. Little, Esq., (Messrs. Little, Brown & Co.) Messrs. Joslin & Tappan, Newton Street. Wilson Murray, Esq., Dedham Street. William Bacon, B. W. Thayer, John Carleton, George Odin, Edward C. Cabot, " Worcester Square. t. .i Upton Street. Chauncy Street. Boston. Mrs. Daniel L. Gibbons, Chauncy Street- Alexander K. Bryar, Esq., Charter Street. E. S. Johnson, Esq., Worcester Square. A. G. Wilbor, " Asylum Street. M V. Lincoln, " Florence Street. John Banchor, Esq., Springfield Street, Alfred Hill, Esq., " " Isaac Merriam, Esq., " " George E. Wyman, Esq., " " Rev'd Charles Cleveland, " " Gilman Tuttle, Esq., Montgomery Street. CAMBRIDGE. C. C. Felton, President of Harvard College. Willard Phillips, Esq. Rev. Dr. Peabody, Charles C. Little, Esq. C. R. Lowell, Esq. George C. Little. Charles T. Russell, Mayor of Cambridge. Andrew S. Waite, Superintendant of Harvard College Buildings. John Read. Esq. Ch rles B. Hastings, East Cambridge. R. Sullivan, Jr , East Cambridge. William J. Niles, West Cambridge. Rev'd John Pryor, D. D. New Public School House, East Camhridge. New Public School House, North Avenue. William Read. 14 TESTIMONIALS. JAMAICA PLAINS. William Evans, Esq. Benjamin Armstrong, Esq. James W. Reed. Messrs. D. B. Wheelock (f Co., South Reading. Messrs. N.