Economising on Fuel

From the Sheffield Independent, 28th October 1918.

WEIGH YOUR COAL RATIONS.

How Lady Leitrim Practises Economy.

One of the simplest and best ways that householders can adopt to ensure that their coal rations will not be exceeded is to weigh them out every day.  This is the coal-saving plan adopted by the Countess of Leitrim.

"Each day's fuel ration," she explained to a Press representative, "is carefully weighed, and may in no circumstances be exceeded.  It works out at 49lb. a day in summer and 56lb. in winter."

The Countess manages to limit herself to that small ration by the greatest household economy at her home in Cadogan square.  "The hot water system is for the most part suspended," she states, "and cans of water are carried to the bedrooms from the kitchen.  One gas-fire lit for three hours daily and one coal-fire started in time for tea in one small room, where all meals and recreation are taken, constitutes the entire heating of the living rooms.  The hot water pipes for central heating are cut off, and a small stove in the hall substituted.  All unnecessary electric bulbs have been removed from passages and staircases—an economy which is being adopted by many of my friends.  Instead of 26 tons of fuel, 70,000 feet of gas or 450 units of electricity hitherto considered the minimum possible for running the house, 17 tons of fuel and 420 units of electricity and very little gas are being managed with this year."

[I can't help thinking of the servants at the Cadogan Square house.  They would undoubtedly be the ones to do the carrying of cans of water to the bedrooms, and if there were only two fires allowed in the entire house, it sounds as though the servants' areas were entirely unheated.]