For the first nine months of 2000, there was a 6% decline in housing units authorized by building permits when measured against the units for the same period in 1999.
Dips in new housing construction and the unpredicatbility of the world oil markets are considered contributing factors in the recent U.S. economic downturn.
Statistics from the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Assoc-iation (GAMA), through August, indicate that oil boilers have been down for seven consecutive months, while gas boilers have been quite strong throughout this year.