Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-17
HIGH GAS PRESSURE
HELD BILL BOOSTER;
CHANGE IS ORDERED
Companies Told to Make Ad-
justments in AIIegedIy DAN
gerous Equipment.
MUST KEEP OFFICIALS
INFORMED OF WORK
Pilot Lights Alone, 1t Is Estimated,
Are Costing Washington Con-
sumers $4,000 a Month.

With information said to indicate
that increased gas pressures discovered
in a recent survey by engineers of the
Public Utilities Commission are re-
sponsible to some extent for mounting
gas bills, the commission, 1t was an
nounced today, has ordered the Wash
ington Gas Light Co. to proceed as
rapidly as possible to make adjustments
in its main and distribution systems to
bring pressures within the prescribed
requirements.
The commission also has ordered the
company to make a careful check of all
appliances used by the thousands of gas
consumers, and adjust them, If neces-
sary, to meet pressure conditions. Bert
H Peck, chief engineer of the commits
sion, issued a warning that the high
gas pressures may result in inefficient
and dangerous appliances because Of
improper adjustment.
Pilots Wasting Gas.
The increased pressures, it was said
at the commission, affect most serious
~ the improperly adjusted pilot lights
on gas furnaces and automatic hot
water heaters, because they are burning
COlUIluUuSlys GSoLllndbGc SANCAA VIC C%AA-
mission indicate, it Is charged, that the
pilot lights alone are wasting approx
mately $3.50 worth of gas a day. In
other words, it is held that the i'm
proper adjustment of the pilots Is
unnecessarily costing gas consumers
$4,000 a month.
No estimates could be made at the
commission as to the amount OF gas
wasted by improperly regulated gas
SQf6 ar the commits.
sion, however, that this figure probably
would be lower than that for the pilot
lights as the gas ranges are generally
used only several hours a day. and
when the fame becomes too high they
can be observed by the householder and
the flow CT gas cut down.
The commission told the gas COM
pany that the adjustments to con-
sumers' equipment should be made In
cooperation with its engineering de-
partment and that it be kept informed
as to the progress of the work.
Must Increase Facilities.
Pressures as high as IL inches, or
100 per cent greater than the 6-inch
maximum allowed by the commission,
were found in the engineering survey
of the redistribution system. The
commission in its new order, however,
allows maximum pressure Of Inches,
as recommended by It's chief engineer.
Gas presSures were increased, 1t was
said. in order to prevent low pressures
at points that were overloaded due to
the increased demands for gas for
house heating and other purposes
distribution system. These facilities
must be increased under the commits
sion;s latest order.
In reply to the commissions order,
George A. g. Wood, president Of the
Washington Gas Light Co., said that
arrangements had been made to reduce
the pressure during the od-peak hours
and that very serious consideration
had been given the appliance situation.
especially since the advent Of natural
gas.
Mr. Wood explained that q school
had been instituted by the company
10 train O group of men in gas appli-
ance adjustment, and within two weeks
they would be ready to start field work.
This inspection service, he said, will
guarantee good gas appliance adjust
ment.
Studying Distribution.
I'VE are most anxious to secure good
public relations" Mr.. Wood told the
commission, land will do everything in
our power in the matter of proper gas
spreSsures, and in regard to the gas APP
pliance adjustments we will be very glad
TO cooperate in this matter and make
adjustments wherever indicated as
being necessary"
Mr. Wood also revealed that the COM
pany has arranged with the firm of
Day 81 Zimmerman, consulting engi-
neers, to make an exhaustive survey Of
its distribution layouts in order that the
high-pressure conditions complained of
by the commissions chief engineer can
be corrected as speedily as possible.
The engineer had pointed out that I'M
less the improvements were immediate
1y undertaken, conditions next Winter
viii result in more extended violation of
the commissions pressure regulations,
and further unsatisfactory service.
President Wood, Wilton j. Lambert
counsel, and Anthony Hyde, publicity
agent for the gas company, called upon
the Public Utilities Commission this
morning and assured the commission
that everything possible would be done
10 correct the situation as to "appar-
emily increased" gas bills under the
new reduced gas rates.
Mr.. Wood said that a strenuous eff
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