ELECTRICITY IN THE HOME

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 9, 16 September 1927, Page 6

ELECTRICITY IN THE HOME

"In building new homes where electricity is available it is the exception for anyone to install any other method of illumination," said Mrs. Barrington in her little heart-to-heart talks from 2YA recently, "yet it is suxprising how many people still fail to recognise the fact that the more generalised the use of electricity. for all houshold purposes, .the greater the comfort and well-being of the country as a whole. Life has been very hard for so many women, that it is just fine to know that all the wearying disagreeable part of that everlasting preparing of meals, the daily round of sweeping ‘and cleaning, the drudgery of the weekly wash, can now become a pleasant hobby."

It is rather lamentable at times te hear the wrong notions people entertain about electricity. A new home is being planned, and perhaps someone says, "Are you going to install an electric range?" "Oh! no," is so often the answer, "We are only working people, we cannot afford luxuries of that sort." It has never occurred to them to thoroughly go into the matter. A good electric range can be installed at practically the same cost as a small coal range, including the chimney mantle and tiles. An electric range can be set down in any suitable corner, as one would 2 piece of furniture. Apart from the tubing with the wires, which are attached to the wall, it remains to all intents an exceedingly attractive and useful piece of furniture. Some prepare a place for the range by tiling the floor, and sometimes the surrounding wall, but this, though very nice, is not in the least necessary. Another reason commonly given, is that sometimes the power fails for a while. As large business premises and whole cities can be run with perfect success, it is reasonable to expect the average home can do likewise. There are occasions when the power may be cut off for a short while, especially in districts where wiring is in progress. If in the middle of cooking, the consequences are not so drastic as one not accustomed to electric ranges may suppose, as 2 good range is made to hold the heat for an astonishing length of time, and ten or twenty minutes is about the mit of time, in which the power is Hable to be off. The inconvenience likely to occur only very occasionally. is surely a trifling matter when com-. pared with all the other advantages to be enjoyed every day in the week. Running Expenses. Yet another matter which bothers many people unaccustomed to clectric ranges, is the possible running expenses. Apart from the few isolated cases where people run up enormous bills for which there must always be some definite reason, a whole household can be run electrically at so astonishingly low a figure, many people find it very hard to accept t —

fact as first told.them. It does not matter what you have been accous+tomed to use as fuel, where money has to be spent, electricity can, and should, and does prove far more economical than anything else. One of the blessings of cooking by electricity is, you always know just where you are. As a lady said to me the other day, "When you set the switches to maintain a certain heat, it stays put." And I think that most hptly expresses it. Diverse Opinions. It is surprising how divided a> household will often be on. this important matter. I find the foregoing opinions mostly expressed by the menafolk. Maybe because the cleaning of filthy coal ranges does not, as a rule, concern them. . Where the housewife is dead against an electric range, it is quite often because she is absolutely afraid of it. I had one lady tell me, that when the electricians had completed their work, and lert her alone with the mysterious thing, she felt absolutely sick with terror! Electric ranges are so definitely calculated to be a joy and delight to any woman, it seems such a pity that anyone should allow this reason todeter them from installing one in the home. "Another point is speed. Though am electric range is undoubtedly much quicker than any fuel stove in heating, because it is a little slower than gas im some instances, the whole proposition may be thrust aside The first heating of the top elements takes, say, two niinutes, but once thoroughly hot, one thing after another can be brought to the boil as quickly as can be desired by any reasonable person. Mrs Barrington gave detailed ‘nstructions as to the use and management of electric rauges, The Washing Machine. "One of the electric household apPliances which interests me most as an extreme labour saver is the washing machine. Hard as it sometimes is to educate people to the use of electric ranges, it is much harder to get people to credit what a washing machine meaus itt the home. They simply make the erstwhile laborious washing day non existant if you wish. ‘There

eT TSTMS LUT Le HIS Lt SLUMS is no need to ever keep soiled cloths about. With a good washing machine there is no wear and tear-of even the most delicate fabrics during the wash‘ing process. It is so simple a. matter to-run some hot water into the machine add a little soap, pgp the clothes in and set the machine in motion | You come back in five minutes, or thereabouts, ‘and the clothes are. perfectly clean and ‘only require rinsing. It is not generally understood that there is no necessity whatever to boil white clothes when an electric washing 1

machine in used. Your sheets, etc., will always remain snowy white, and you will be proud to put them on the line. Tor flannels and blankets, they are out on their own. As long as a good supply of hot water is available you are’ set indeed. "J have seen some of the most modern homes with the machine installed in the bathroom or in the kitchenette. It only means a heating point on the wall, a hot water tap handy, and means for the water to run away from the machine. By doing away with the laundry, when building a new home, aud purchasing the washing machine, a saving of just on £40 or more is made. This aspect of the business does not occur to many people. The Coisivus. of a Radiator. "Another thing I would like to mention is the radiator. These are wellknown and widely used, and most people are familiar with the comfort and convenience they bring in their train. However, it. will do no harm to stress the fact, of their especial merits in cases of sickness, and where people are studying a good deal When it is desirable to keep one’s wits alei and spend long hours in mental exertion, heat engendered bv electricity is m no wise enervating. Electrical heat does ‘not interfere with the oxygenein the ---- =

MSS en ss , air, and so has not the tendency to make one drowsy and heavy This , fact is well worth remembering." ~~ This week Mrs. Barrington wil) have something to say about vacuum cleaners, and the installation of the electric water heating system in the home. The latter should be especially interesting and instructive; and, as there is _considerable diversity of opinion on this matter, Mrs. Barrington has spared herself no pains in collecting thoroughly reliable information with the idea of clearing up some ponts for those who are interested but still undecided. We are’ looking forward to receiving enlightenment on ‘the various problems that always’ present themselves when considering new installations. *