March, 1927] 



Electricity on New England Farms 



29 



CONCLUSIONS 



The data given in Tabic 8 for the seven farms as a group show an average 

 increase in consumption less than in three individual cases and more than in the 

 four remaining, and indicate thai the farm load in general can be materially 

 increased. 



The average 1925 consumption for all the seven farms of 1683 kilowatt hours 

 increased to 4253 kwhs. in 1926. This increase of 152% is in spite of several dif- 

 ferent conditions. Farms 2 and 3 showed little or no increase due to being well 

 equipped from the start; on the fruit farm. Xo. 5. only a small load could be 

 built and the poultry farms. Nos. 6 and 7, did not gel started until May and 

 June. Farms 1 and 4 were operating for the full year. The variation ranges 

 from a 520'/^ increase to a 3.29< decrease. The latter is of no particular signif- 

 icance, being. only a normal fluctuation in production or efficiency. 



TABLE 8. Kilowatt Hour Consumption on All Experimental Farms for 1925 and 1926 



* Estimated for a 12 months basis. 



The consumption in each of the winter, spring and summer seasons of 1925 

 remained quite steadily in the neighborhood of 23 f A of the total for the year, and 

 increased to about 31% in the fall. In 1926 the total consumption of all farms 

 was distributed with 23% in the winter. 16 r f in the spring, 32% in the summer 

 and 28$ in the fall. 



Comparing the two years, an increase in consumption occurred generally in all 

 seasons, but most markedly in the summer, amounting to 292% for the seven 

 farms, and showing how the peak of the farm load has been shifted to that sea- 

 son. Heating circuit equipment including refrigeration, electric ranges and water 

 heaters are so far principally responsible. 



The average rate for all seven farms in 1925 of 9 3-10 cents was reduced to 

 7 1-10 cents in 1926. Two companies reduced their rates during 1926 which had 

 some effect in this direction; but the fact that with greater consumption there is 

 usually a sliding scale to reduce the cost should not be overlooked. In fact, 

 this is a point of consequence to those who can use electricity in considerable 

 quantity. 



