POD 7-30-13 NORGE with clock

[tomturbomatic]

Norge and ABC-O-MATIC were the only two domestic washer brands I know of that would allow delayed starting to take advantage of "off peak" electric rates. Do any of you remember living with "off peak" electric rates from long ago? In some areas, it was mainly confined to electric water heaters. When my parents first moved to a small town in Illinois, there was no natural gas service. Daddy said that the electric water heater was so expensive to operate with the automatic Kenmore that they tried to go on off peak operation, but then they had no hot water by nightfall. I remember my mother letting me stand on a little stool in front of the Kenmore and hold the hose that she used to add cold water to the rinse in the machine to save on hot water. As soon as natural gas lines were brought to the neighborhood, they switched to it for water heating.

Do any of you live where your electric utility offers off peak rates now? If we had it, I could set the Mieles to start during the night, but I don't think the savings would be much since they do partially fill with hot water and only heat the few gallons of wash water for what is the term, a profile wash?

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

I try to take advantage of operating my washer, dryer & dishwasher during non-peak hours by using them in the wee hours, myself... My dishwasher has a delay-start, too...

I usually get the noise of running all that machinery and running up & down stairs to move from washin', to dryin', to foldin', to more washin' & dryin' & foldin' than I can say I've seen my electric bill be affordable...!

-- Dave

 

[classiccaprice]

bygted has the matching dryer for sale right now

  

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/atq/3969006485.html

 

[mitch]

Grew up with electric water heater

and never want another one! I love a gas powered water heater! The recovery time is so much better!

I remember my grandmother always turning off the breaker for her electric water heater during the day and then back on at night, trying to save money on power.

 

[yogitunes]

the Off-Peak is still offered today here in Jersey....

you have a few options, a special meter is put on your house, and during the hours of 11pm and 6am, you are charged a lower rate per kilowatt....we had one of these in the 70's.....upside, is you can run the washer or dishwasher while your asleep--keeping in mind if it floods or goes out of balance--but the killer was the water heater, needed during baths at night(6 to 10pm) or early morning (7 to 9am)...cheaper rates, but not when you have need it the most!...you always have to keep track of what time it is to use stuff...

the other option is a box placed on your electic heat, water heater, or central air unit....and at any given time during the daytime hours, they may shut these units off by remote, you are offered a cheaper rate for your whole bill, but they control when this stuff can be used, although it's more along the times when you are at work is when they are shut off, so you really don't see it in effect....

I found it easier to turn things on and off as needed......water heater ON, then you did baths, dishes, laundry, then turn it off........we had window unit A/C's, ran unit downstairs during the day, upstairs during the night.....not both all the time 24/7......discipline on your own, and you can save a lot more

a lot easier since hooked up to Natural Gas.......a LOT cheaper.....I sometimes think it has to do with the homes electric service and wires, this house in the city has the lowest bills I have ever paid, and I don't cut back on anything, and I have a lot running.....my electric is average 75.00 during the Summer....