As we approach the season of winter storms and the alphabet of storm naming starts from ‘A’ again, we are all most likely putting our heating on for a bit longer each day. It is dark, cold and gloomy outside but that doesn’t mean winter can’t be full of warmth and light inside our homes. As we look to celebrate the joy that is central heating, here are some impressive heating feats that have earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records:
First Underfloor Heating – We tend to think of the Romans as responsible for the first underfloor heating systems but evidence has been found dating back to between 3000 and 4000 years ago of underfloor heating systems in Korea, China and the far east of Russia. They featured a small hearth that had a flue that travelled horizontally to duct hot smoke under the flooring or under a raised living area. The earliest type is dated to 1000 BC.
Largest Volcano Heat Output – A team of geologists measured the thermal output of 95 of the earth’s most active volcanoes. Using data from satellites between 2000 and 2014, they found that Hawaii’s Kilauea emitted the highest heat levels of 9.8 multiplied by 10 to the power of 16 joules! Whilst you don’t want this kind of heat inside your home, you do want it to be toasty. If you need the services of Tewkesbury Boilers, be sure to visit a site like http://www.combi-man.com/boiler-finance/boiler-finance-tewkesbury/
Most Expensive Heat Wagon – A Heizwagon sold at a Christie’s auction in London for almost £15,000 in 1999. This heating vehicle was made in 1904 and was an early type of portable heating device.
First Heat Ray Weapon – The world’s first heat ray gun is known as the Active Denial System. It can emit a heat energy invisible microwave beam up to 500m. The gun is designed to be fitted to a Humvee vehicle and it is non-lethal but a person would feel a burning sensation on being targeted. It was publicly displayed at a US Air Force base in 2007 and works by heating up the water under a person’s skin.
Most Heat Tolerant Animal – This record goes to water bears who can survive in extreme temperatures of up to 150 degrees Celsius. They are almost indestructible and can pause their metabolism to survive. They are tiny at only 1mm long and incredibly have survived experiments in outer space and in the sun’s radiation!
Most Heat Tolerant Bird – This record belongs to the African Skimmer. Desert dwelling birds must get used to living in some extreme temperatures such as over 40 degrees Celsius on a regular basis. Some of the hottest of these temperatures are experienced by the member of the Gull family, the African Skimmer. They are indigenous to lagoons, lakes, rivers, estuaries and marshes of sub-Saharan Africa. One of their breeding beaches on Lake Turkana regularly experiences ground temperatures of 60 degrees Celsius!
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