Heat Conversion

After a slowdown because of supply problems, Harvard Real Estate Inc. (HRE) is continuing its program to convert about 150 HRE-owned residential units from oil to gas heating.

HRE, which began the program late last summer has converted 60 of 150 targeted locations, Sally R. Zeckhauser, president of HRE, said yesterday.

Some tenants in the HRE-owned units said this week they were not informed of the conversion prior to the arrival of workmen, and the heat in their houses was turned off during the conversion.

Zeckhauser said converting from oil to gas will save HRE and its tenants at least 10 per cent on heating bills.

Cost considerations were only part of the reason for the conversion, Zeckhauser said, adding that gas is also a cleaner fuel.