The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-06-12
TODAY'S
BUSINESS
MIRROR
by SAM DAWSON

NEW YORK R-The age OF the
Aforementioned home is at hand.
Just as Americans long ago came
to insist on central heating for
their homes, SO they win soon de-
mand central cooling.
That's the opinion of leaders of
the industry that bragS il is the
fastest growing wonder boy in the
appliance field. They say only a
major business slump can slow
them down.
Sales of room air conditionerS
are looming. Even more spectaeu-
lar gains this year and next are
predicted for the central units that
either heat or cool the entire home.
Just as important. profit.wiSe. is
the spread of air conditioning
through industry-wiht 200 differ
ent groups counted as customers
and through the world of business.
Offices, hotels, motels, banks.
and auto are being made indie
pendent of the weather.
Ships are becoming air-condi-
tioned-with some saying il even
reduces seasickneSs.
A New Orleans Catholic church
reports that after it installed a
cooling system Sunday attendance
jumped from 1,61I to 1854.
Air conditioning isn't new. In the
Southwest people have used win
dow air coolers for many years.
Willis Hayiland Carrier started
commercial air conditioning 50
years ago. But il is just since
World War II that the big home
air condition boom has got under
way.
Last year $1,000 new homes
were equipped with year-around
air-copditioners; 40 900 room air
conditioners were sold; and, in.
Guiding commercial-type coolers,
the industry had Ia billion dollar
retail sales.
This year, says Cloud Wampler
president of Carrier Corp, so, O0O
new homes viii be equipped with
units that cool or heat at the own
er's will. an unestimated number
of older homes win switch over
to year-around units; $4,000 room
air-conditioners will be sold: and
retail sales should be around
billion dollars.
He predicts that in five years
2 million homes win be complete.
ly air conditioned.
Six companies expect TO turn out
1O0, 900 or more room coolers each
this year-Fedders -Quigan, Mitch.
Ell. York, Sutton, Carrier and
Frigidaire.
Seven companies expect to turn
out 5000 or more home air condi.
tioning units apiece Carrier,
Worthington, Servel, General Flee,
trio. Remington, Chrysler and
York.
Others going strong in The high.
| ly competitive room unit field in.
clude International Harvester. Lon.
ergan, Quiet.Heet and crosley.
| Home systems also are beina
turned out in volume By Lennox,
Bryant, Coleman, Westinghouse
and Typhoon.
Prices are the same as last
year, or ! little lower-thanks q
mass production and mass mar
keting. Costs run from $500 Il
$500 depending on the size 81
the home. Installations in old
homes may run higher Climate
Of course. pays a major part il
determining costs u operation.
Air conditioning Is bringing
about changes IN house eOnstfue
ton. Windows need 10 be for lighi
only: many can be eliminated
ail can be fixed. without sashes Of
screens.
Reduction Of dust and dirt per,
mits greater use ~ white % light
colors In rugs. furniture and dra,
pcries
An Illinois housing development
has more than half u all exposed
exterior walls q glass. Laid out IL
units az four IN 3 eloTer.ieaf pat
tern. the houses have , commor
utility area ia he center with cues
water pipes, exhaust duets. drains
and the sear-F0and air eondi
toner.
IDARDANEI.LEs CLAIM