Discussion on “economic operation of electric ovens” (Gumaer), Deer Park, Md., July 2, 1915. (see proceedings for May, 1915)

Dwight F. Henderson: I think this paper has opened up a subject that will in the future be given a great deal of attention and study. The manufacturers spend a great deal of time in study and investigation and money in building efficient ovens, and then little attention is given to the operation of these ovens, ranges and other devices after they have been installed in the households. Our company in Spokane has been very active lately in pushing the sale of electric ranges and kindred devices. The greatest difficulty that our commercial men have found is in convincing the prospective users of this apparatus that the cost of operation is not going to be excessive. If this apparatus is used intelligently the cost in most cases is not excessive. We find that it closely approximates the cost of gas for a small family. I do not know how that would apply to a large family. I find, too, that the cost of heating water is the one great drawback with the electric ranges, if it is not done in some systematic manner. We have arranged a scheme for putting on a flat-rate water heater which has solved the problem as far as we are concerned, very nicely. We have developed a double snap switch interlocked so that when the range is turned on the water heater is off, and when the range is not in use the water heater is on. That gives an eighteen- or twenty-hour use of the water heater and will give continuous hot water when connected to the ordinary water tank.