Hypocaust

A hypocaust is an ancient Roman system of central heating.

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Roman engineers devised an ingenious system of heating the baths – the hypocaust. The floor was raised off the ground by pillars and spaces were left inside the walls so that hot air from a furnace (praefurnium) could circulate through these open areas. Rooms requiring the most heat were placed closest to the furnace, whose heat could be increased by adding more wood.

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A derivation of hypocaust, the gloria, had been in use in Castile until the arrival of modern heating. After the fuel (straw, paper, refuse) has been reduced to ashes, the air intake is closed to keep hot air inside and slow combustion.

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Korean traditional houses use an Ondol which is similar to a hypocaust, drawing smoke from a wood fire typically used for cooking.

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Ancient Roman: REDIRECT Ancient Rome...

Central heating: Central heating is standard method of keeping a house warm. When combined with other systems in order to control a building's climate the whole system may be referred to as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)....

Engineer: An engineer is someone who practices the profession of engineering – a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems using technology....