English: Around 1914, the Seattle Lighting Department tested various electrical appliances in private homes. The department installed an electric water heater in the Stavis residence at 802 Thirty-third Avenue. The idea was to see how well it worked with the home's existing coal-fired heating system in different seasons. The department found that the two heaters worked together without trouble.

This photo shows the large electric water heater installed and tested by the Seattle Lighting Department. The home's coal heating system doesn't appear in the photo. Other electrical appliances in the photo include a two-oven stove, a vacuum cleaner, and a large appliance with changeable mixing and grinding attachments.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Appliances; Interiors; Kitchens; Stoves; Vacuum cleaners; Water heaters
• People: Stavis family