Evening star., 1951-08-22
Rise in Prices
OF Homes Seen
In Gas Heat Ban
Oil Furnace Men
Dispute Builders
$500 Estimate

OF Cne government new gas
heating ban. a leading Washing
ton builder predicted today.
Alvin L. Aubinoe, president oi
the Home Builders Association
estimated it would cost builders
about $500 more to install oil
burners and an additional $20(
for bigger furnace rooms. The
new cost certainly" will be
passed on to home buyers, he
added.
Estimate Challenged.
Spokesman for the oil heating
industry here, however, termed
Mr.. Aubinoe's estimate "ridicu-
1ouS."
~. Graham Shields, managing
director Of the Oil Heat Institute
of Greater Washington, said the
extra cost of an Oil heating unit
would not be more than $50. al
though he conceded that there
would be some additional cost for
the furnace room.
John G. Chappell Of the ESQ
Standard Oil Co., calling Mr..
Aubinoe's $500 figure very much
exaggerated" asserted that with
installation of comparable equip
ment, the differential could be no
more than $3.50 in all.
Compares Operation Costs.
Mr.. Chappell also pointed out
that oil operation is considerably
cheaper than gas. In the Dis
trict, 1000 gallons of oil costs
$128.42, whereas gas Of equal heat
ing value costs >$153.18. he said.
In Virginia the difference is even
greater, although in Maryland it
is slightly less. he added.
The ban, prohibiting virtually
all new gas-heating installations,
including conversions in old
houses, took effect today in the
District and nearby Maryland, as
we'll as other Eastern States. 1t
was issued by the Petroleum Ad-
ministration for Defense to con-
serve natural gas, which is used
here.
In nearby Virginia, builders will
have about a months grace before
any restriction takes effect. The
Virginia Corporation Commission
has scheduled a public hearing in
RoSslyn at 10 am. September "a
to determine whether to impose a
ban in this part of the State.
It's Up to States.
States can assume control at
their own discretion. Maryland
has issued an order similar to the
Federal Governments.
The oil burner installation cost
will be higher, Mr.. Aubinoe con-
tended, because of the necessity
for more controls, a more ex-
pensive boiler and an oil storage
tank, usually outside the house.
In addition, larger furnace or
utility room is necessary, with
f1reproof walls and floor. This
will mean revamping those houses
now being planned but not yet
under construction, he pointed
out.
If builders or owners wish to
change from hot-air heating, Gus
tomary with gas, to hot water in
connection with the oil burners,
the cost could rise substantially
more because of piping and radia-
tors. Addition of Easements, not
needed for gas but often used with
oil, would add even more.
Midnight Was Deadline.
Builders will have to throw
their plans away and start over
again." he asserted, adding they
are "squawking like the devil
about it."
Last midnight was the deadline
under the ban. In houses begun
up to then, gas furnaces may be
installed as planned.
But in the District and Mary
land, at least, only few future
houses will be allowed to have gas
heat.
Any conversions to gas heat in
old houses already agreed upon
by dealers up to last midnight may
proceed.
The building industry won't
notice any marked effect from
the ban until next spring, Mr..
Aubinoe predicted, because of the
backlog of houses already under
way. Many builders rushed to-
start digging foundations during
the past week to beat the ban, he
said.
Sees Headache" Ahead.
But by spring, the ban will be-
come "a real headache" the build
ing association head asserted.
Gas-heating units have become
almost standard in new homes
here since World War II, mainly
because of lower initial cost. The
gas company reported SO per cent
of the $4,000 new houses it pro-
vided with gas last year had gas
furnaces. That accounts for al
most all the new houses built
here, a company official said.
In addition, about 5000 new
homes converted to gas heat last
year
Government officials said today
supplies of heating oil are expected
to be sufficient for the new OIL
burner demand during the coming
winter, despite the possibility of
spot shortages" in some localities.
No shortage is expected here. they
said.