Yes, I first noticed the all-electric trend about 15 years ago when the upstairs apartment of a friend was remodelled to be all-electric even though the building had both steam heat and gas lines. Instead of a gas stove there was a 2-burner smooth-top and a wall-mounted, larger than average microwave. I don't recall the heat.
I can see how all-electric saves cost for the building owner, both in construction and maintenance (PTAC attached to the unit's meter). Then there's the 'complexity' of the one-pipe steam system still very common in the northeast. It's 'complex' due to a general inability/refusal to understand that most are designed to run at 2-3 lbs. of pressure (not 10), that you can't level the pipes or the radiators, and that ignoring these 2 points leads to more frequent repairs and poor performance, not to mention noise from a system that's supposed to be virtually silent... but I digress.
My personal issue with all-electric stems from the fact that I've lived through too many power failures. I've learned I can handle damn near anything (including chopping wood for the wood stove for heat and hand-carrying water up 4 flights to fill the cistern in the attic) PROVIDED I've had my coffee and hot shower. Sorry a gas hot water heater and 2 gas burners are my personal requirements.
I can also see how rolling the cost of proper laundry hook-ups into the price of the re-hab would be a smart financial move on the part of the owner. I can just imagine the comments from a perspective buyer/renter: "You want me to pay HOW MUCH and I can't put in my own washer & dryer?!"
I noticed mention of putting the cost of the common washer/dryer into a jar atop the private one each time it's used. Now that I think about it, our building's units are priced rather low: $1.50/wash and 0.75 for half hour of drying. Perhaps to quiet the group who wants to change the co-op's rules?
Which brings me back to my building: Heat & a/c provided by air chillers (hot water in winter), gas stoves & ovens, NO 240v AFAIK, NO outside walls or windows in any kitchen or bathroom. Dishwashers ARE approved, hence the pro euro-sized washer contingent among the owners (I'm still renting). FYI, dehumidifiers are extremely common as one might expect due to the air-chillers. So, once I finally own my place and the washer/dryer ban is lifted, I'll be limited to: 120v and ventless......
Yes, Foraloysius & Henene4. I can't imagine how the market could possibly be too small to support just ONE 120v HP dryer model.
On the more technical side: A vented, electric dryer with resistance heat loses 3/4 of its dryer power going from 240 to 120v thanks to that pesky Inverse Square law. What is the average drop for condenser and HP dryers? Still 3/4 as a result of input drop or is is somewhat less due to mechanical differences?
Below is a link to a brief article on a 1935 PTAC
There was a rather extensive thread on the issues surrounding 21st century HVAC techs working on one-pipe steam systems designed nearly 150 years earlier. I believe it was in the fall of 2015 when I was recovering from heart surgery. If you cannot find it, let me know and I'll dig it up.
Once again, I've spent my morning on AW.ORG and have ignored my own tasks. It's now time for me to get ready for work...
