What products are Americans missing out on due to having 110V mains electricity instead of 220V?

[-]

JoeMorgue@reddit

Literally the only context this ever gets asked is the stupid "Water Kettle" thing.

Reply

[-]

concrete_isnt_cement@reddit

I have an electric kettle (that usually just gathers dust in the corner). It works just fine, the water boils in about 20 seconds

Reply

[-]

FinancialEvidence@reddit

Not a chance its 20 seconds, a UK kettle is around a minute and is roughly twice as fast.

Reply

[-]

battleofflowers@reddit

And Americans just aren't tea drinkers the way Brits are, for example. They drink tons of tea all day long and we just don't.

Reply

[-]

Suitable_Tomorrow_71@reddit

That's because, generally, we prefer coffee to tea. And most coffee makers can make tea anyway, just stick some teabags into where you'd normally put the coffee grounds.

Reply

[-]

shelwood46@reddit

You can also get Instant Hot faucets that mount next to your sink that dispense kettle-hot how water instantly; there are so many ways to get hot water

Reply

[-]

Ceorl_Lounge@reddit

Americans win on home appliances overall, so I can accept the fact my electric kettle doesn't heat up quite as fast.

Reply

[-]

ALoungerAtTheClubs@reddit

Right, I'll take that slightly slower kettle I rarely use if it means I can have a clothes dryer, air conditioning, and a sink garbage disposal.

Reply

[-]

Ceorl_Lounge@reddit

My wife's a tea junkie and the kids are hooked on Ramen so we use ours a LOT. Still... not a problem, I'm grateful for all the rest.

Reply

[-]

If you are actually interested, its not the complex to have a 3000w kettle. If you already have a **dedicated circuit receptacle** in your kitchen (doesn't connect to any other receptacles/fixtures), all you really need is a 15/20 amp 240V 2 pole breaker, nema 6-15p/6-20p receptacle, and nema 6-15/6-20p plug. Its about an hour of work to install and ~50 bucks of parts. Then buy your UK/EU kettle and install the nema 6-15p plug on the end.

Reply

[-]

Vyckerz@reddit

You can also get an instant water heater hot water unit

Reply

[-]

chabadgirl770@reddit

Why don’t you just get a hot water urn? So much easier and then you have on demand

Reply

[-]

Foxtrot-Uniform-Too@reddit

Why could you not have a clothes dryer, aircon and a sink garbage disposal on 220V? Or do I misundertand your point?

Reply

[-]

ALoungerAtTheClubs@reddit

It's that these appliances are much less common in, say, the UK despite their much-vaunted voltage. Our appliance situation is more modern overall.

Reply

[-]

DoinIt989@reddit

The UK has a lower rate of clothes dryer ownership (~60% vs ~80%) but interestingly, a higher rate of washing machine ownership (95% vs ~80%). Some of that is cultural, not financial. They just don't like using dryers. And the UK doesn't really need AC like most of the US does.

Reply

[-]

Foxtrot-Uniform-Too@reddit

Ahh I see, so not really connected to the 110 vs 220V.

Reply

[-]

shelwood46@reddit

We easily get both.

Reply

[-]

Foxtrot-Uniform-Too@reddit

Obviously. It is not like higher volts is a European thing. Any country can have any volt they want. Easily. You can have 480V or 3 phase volt if you need it. And we all do, Europe and the US alike. I was asking because I did not understand if 110V had anything to do with a clothes drier and air conditioning etc. And it does not. I live in Norway, we have 220V, I have a washer and dryer in my bathroom with several separate outlets for my toothbrush and electric shaver. I have aircon and whatever - except garbage disposal. That is not a thing in my country because it is considered a rat feeder. So sans garbage disposal, we have the same things, but different voltage. And fridge models. We have smaller fridges :)

Reply

[-]

SnooRadishes7189@reddit

Correct. Central air is directly wired into the home's electrical system as are furnaces and electric water heaters. Electric Dryers and Stoves use 240V outlet which are just a different version of the normal 110V wiring in the house. Some houses in the northern parts of the U.S. use Natural gas for stoves, dryers, furnaces and water heaters. Natural gas is usually cheaper than electricity. Gas stoves and dryers heat up faster than electric ones.

Reply

[-]

Cheap_Coffee@reddit

>I can have a clothes dryer That's actually on a 240v circuit.

Reply

[-]

drunkenwildmage@reddit

I have a gas clothes dryer on standard 120v outlet.

Reply

[-]

ALoungerAtTheClubs@reddit

That's true!

Reply

[-]

devnullopinions@reddit

This is one of the reasons I really like having an induction stove. It can transfer the energy to boil water in like 30 seconds

Reply

[-]

AllYallCanCarry@reddit

In ten minutes you could add a branch line from behind your oven to service a 220v electric kettle. Just don't run them both at the same time.

Reply

[-]

Ceorl_Lounge@reddit

Gas stove, but thanks for the tip!

Reply

[-]

AllYallCanCarry@reddit

Damn! It can still easily be done, it'll just cost you a little more!

Reply

[-]

parker9832@reddit

I have 120V and 240V service in my home. All my electric heaters, hot water heater, and clothes dryer are 240V

Reply

[-]

DBDude@reddit

It's not the same. US houses are at 240V. Then they tap off one wire to be 120V throughout the house, but let 240V pass through for things like stove outlets. So regular wall outlets in the US are 120V at 15A, or 1,800W, and 240V is usually provided at about 30A, or 7,200W. But for example in Germany power comes in 400V 3-phase, and it's tapped off to 230V for regular wall outlets at 16A (3,840W). The stoves and such get that 400V 3-phase, at I believe at least 30A, so a whole lot more power than your heater outlet.

Reply

[-]

danhm@reddit

Our 240 volt outlets can do up to 60 amps, which is more power than 400 volts at 30 amps.

Reply

[-]

DBDude@reddit

Don't forget it's 3-phase for more consistent power. I'm not an electrician, but I do remember that a three phase motor can put out much more power for the same wattage as single phase motor.

Reply

[-]

Zaidswith@reddit

Are we trying to electrocute an elephant in the kitchen? What's actually different in use?

Reply

[-]

DBDude@reddit

Stoves can be more effective. But it also helps running better equipment in the garage. You have to pay a lot extra to get 3-phase in a home in the US, not just installation but recurring service charges.

Reply

[-]

danhm@reddit

We're also 3 phase (to the pole, at least). But that stuff only matters for factories and other heavy duty applications outside of the home -- they also have 400 volt service in America.

Reply

[-]

cohrt@reddit

Yeah unless you’re trying to run a machine shop in your basement 3 phase power doesn’t really matter for residential use.

Reply

[-]

DBDude@reddit

I was watching one US guy who wanted to get three-phase to his garage to run heavier tools, but the power company wanted to charge him a commercial rate recurring connection fee.

Reply

[-]

WhatABeautifulMess@reddit

So what are we missing out on? This question seems to be asking the wrong people. We don’t know what we don’t have.

Reply

[-]

parker9832@reddit

My heaters are hard wired to the panel

Reply

[-]

DBDude@reddit

So you get the US version of high voltage.

Reply

[-]

parker9832@reddit

I believe so. The house was built in the 60s. All electric. Water pump, heat, everything. It used to have separate panels, 120 and 240. Before we closed on the house the inspector made us combine to one panel, Half and half. I was able to get the seller to pay for that.

Reply

[-]

Lothar_Ecklord@reddit

What an odd question. What are you missing? Exactly nothing because we actually do have it lol

Reply

[-]

vwsslr200@reddit

Electric kettles are really it. There's a reason that's the only appliance you hear talked about with regard to 120V, and nothing else. Not many appliances actually max out a 15 amp circuit. Pretty much everything else either does not have reduced functionality on 120V, or runs on 240V in the US. Sometimes modifications are made to enable equivalent functionality on 120V - for example, in the US, dishwashers are connected to hot water instead of cold like Europe. The boost from the central water heater enables similar functionality despite the reduced power of the dishwasher's heater. Similar deal with washing machines - they're econnected to both hot and cold water in the US for the same reason.

Reply

[-]

Zaidswith@reddit

We have kettles though and the difference can't be more than seconds.

Reply

[-]

vwsslr200@reddit

Generally, UK kettles are 3000 watts, US kettles 1500 watts. So take about twice as long. Of course with kettles being so fast anyway, US kettles are still quite quick at boiling. But UK kettles significantly faster. The actual time saved depends on the amount of water being boiled.

Reply

[-]

Zaidswith@reddit

Yeah, I just can't imagine it's a life changing amount of time. If you really cared, an induction stove with a stove top kettle would be just as quick.

Reply

[-]

Avery_Thorn@reddit

The things that Americans are mostly missing out on are electrical burns and electrocution.

Reply

[-]

Joel_feila@reddit

We do have a lower per Capita rate of electrical fatalities

Reply

[-]

Zaidswith@reddit

I've never looked that up. Do you have a good source?

Reply

[-]

Joel_feila@reddit

I did the math self lok at a report from the eu and america.

Reply

[-]

Chemical-Mix-6206@reddit

Wait, isn't my clothes dryer 220? Are there other appliances in Europe we don't have?

Reply

[-]

GaryJM@reddit

>Are there other appliances in Europe we don't have? [Beans on toast machine?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/QBwAAOSw~dllfLZW/s-l1200.jpg) [Teasmade?](https://www.teasmade.uk/content/images/2024/09/swan_newpic-1.jpg) [Sandwich toaster?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/4ZEAAOSwfodleun5/s-l1600.webp) [Pie maker?](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81wxxNsyLOL._UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg)

Reply

[-]

Zaidswith@reddit

You could use a toaster oven for the first one. We have the last two But what's going on with that tea thing? It's a clock, a kettle , and...?

Reply

[-]

GaryJM@reddit

Alarm clock, kettle, teapot, serving tray and photograph holder.

Reply

[-]

Zaidswith@reddit

Oh, ok, that definitely makes it more useful.

Reply

[-]

SnooRadishes7189@reddit

We have the sandwich toaster and pie maker. No Teasmade but a we do have automatic coffeemakers. Beans on toast is a very British thing so not much draw to that.

Reply

[-]

Lovebeingadad54321@reddit

There is a beans on toast machine? Don’t you just make toast, then throw some beans on it? We have toasters in America.

Reply

[-]

TheJokersChild@reddit

Just about all of what we need comes in 120 so we're not missing anything. And our electric stoves and dryers are 240, which must mean yours run on 480. But you can probably charge an EV in like 5 minutes, unlike us.

Reply

[-]

Zaidswith@reddit

Their dryers are frequently ductless and terrible. They're slow. If they're in a combination washer/dryer they're completely useless.

Reply

[-]

Remarkable_Table_279@reddit

Not sure we’re the people to ask. I literally can’t think of anything because we can actually add 220 Outlets if we need them. (I had a 220 AC)

Reply

[-]

Granadafan@reddit

Charger for electric cars and super fast kettle for hot water. However we are able to have outlets in the bathroom unlike the UK.

Reply

[-]

waka_flocculonodular@reddit

You can't have outlets in the bathroom in the UK? That is WILD

Reply

[-]

jayakay20@reddit

Yes we can, we just don't. Electricity and water aren't a great mix.

Reply

[-]

Kellaniax@reddit

What do you plug hair dryers or straighteners into if there’s no plugs?

Reply

[-]

The_Law_of_Pizza@reddit

I love how Europeans are so incredibly smug that they think Americans couldn't have possibly figured out a solution to the bathroom outlet problem. They gave up, so there must not be a solution at all.

Reply

[-]

ENovi@reddit

It’s astounding. There was a question here a while ago from a Pole who *insisted* that our use of garbage disposals were destroying our pipes and polluting our sewer systems. People kept trying to explain how they work (going so far as to explain the differences between the two sewer systems) until someone finally snapped and said “Don’t you think we would have fucking done something about this if all our major cities pipes started bursting and our sewers were overflowing?!” This is the same thing. We don’t have outlets in the shower and we’re not sticking our wet fingers into sockets because we’re not morons. Outlets/voltage, garbage disposals, AC, houses made of different material, etc. It doesn’t matter what it is, if it’s different from them then they assume it must be wrong.

Reply

[-]

vwsslr200@reddit

Don't say Europeans, everywhere else in Europe has outlets in the bathroom no problem. This is just a British hangup that nowhere else in the world has (except maybe Ireland). But, like this person, most of them have convinced themselves the rule must be there for good reason.

Reply

[-]

Ceorl_Lounge@reddit

We have GFI outlets for a reason.

Reply

[-]

machagogo@reddit

They have to have switches on every outlet in the UK because they think electricity can jump out of unused outlets and start fires...

Reply

[-]

vwsslr200@reddit

They have whole house GFCI protection so don't even need GFCI outlets. They can put outlets in the bathroom no problem, they just don't because they're weird.

Reply

[-]

Ceorl_Lounge@reddit

The separate taps for hot and cold are weird too.

Reply

[-]

vwsslr200@reddit

Reason for that is traditionally their plumbing systems used open tanks of water in the attic to deal with expansion. They could get nasties in them like bugs, rodents, etc. So nobody wanted to drink from a faucet that had hot water going through it, hence separate taps. Nowadays with houses moving to combi boilers or sealed hot water tanks more like the rest of the world, this is becoming less of an issue and there has been a shift towards mixer taps.

Reply

[-]

Peachy0715@reddit

How do you blow dry your hair? Use a curling iron/straightener? These are all things I'd prefer to use in the bathroom. And yes, this is why GFI outlets exist.

Reply

[-]

jayakay20@reddit

We use them in the bedroom. It's also wear we dress and get ready.

Reply

[-]

TsundereLoliDragon@reddit

Brits when GFCI exists.

Reply

[-]

jayakay20@reddit

We have a 240v system here so GFCI are difficult. That's why we use RCD instead

Reply

[-]

vwsslr200@reddit

Australia, New Zealand, and everywhere in continental Europe has 240V too and they have outlets in the bathroom no problem. This is just a non-issue.

Reply

[-]

devnullopinions@reddit

I literally helped a friend install a 240V charger last weekend.

Reply

[-]

Granadafan@reddit

Yeah we have one at our house as well. My point was the default plugs and voltage are 110 but you can obviously install 220v for heavy appliances or more for chargers. It just should be inspected for code.

Reply

[-]

rawbface@reddit

We do have 220V car chargers though. My neighbor has one in his garage, which makes sense because my 220V clothes dryer is right next to my garage.

Reply

[-]

danhm@reddit

You can also charge a car on a regular 120 v outlet just fine too. It takes longer but it'll probably be plugged in overnight anyway and most people won't be driving enough to fully drain the battery everyday either.

Reply

[-]

wooper346@reddit

> Charger for electric cars and super fast kettle for hot water. I feel like these are two extremes on some kind of appliance scale. "On a scale of car charger to kettle, rank your appliance."

Reply

[-]

battleofflowers@reddit

Americans, by and large, don't drink a cuppa twenty times a day, so most of us don't have kettles we use constantly. I personally own one, but I'd be just as happy with heating up water on the stove with the amount of tea I drink.

Reply

[-]

YborOgre@reddit

American with a kettle here. It takes about 15 to 20 seconds seems plenty fast..

Reply

[-]

Saltpork545@reddit

Literally nothing. For high voltage appliances, we have different, higher voltage outlets because power in the US on the lines is 240v. We do a three phase system that makes residential 120v. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMmUoZh3Hq4 This explains it.

Reply

[-]

PuzzleheadedPea6980@reddit

Based on ohms law, they both use the watts, so the benefit to 220v is you have lowers amps running through the lines. 220 will be more efficient but its like 5% savings over 5 years of use, so its mostly negligible. In general, the 110 is just safer. Where it matters, we still have 220v run.

Reply

[-]

Riker_Omega_Three@reddit

Nothing There is nothing appliance wise that we need that we don't have As a nation, we don't drink hot tea all that much and those that do will simply wait a little bit longer for their water to boil Instant boiling water is not a necessity

Reply

[-]

travelinmatt76@reddit

You are mistaken, practically all US homes have 240 available if needed. Our dryers and electric stoves and ovens run on 240. You can have a 240 outlet in your kitchen if you want. We have every appliance you have

Reply

[-]

nothingpositivetoadd@reddit

Houses in the US have 240 VAC coming in and splits to 2 legs of 120 VAC. To use 240, the breaker taps in to both legs. Ovens, Water Heaters, Clothes Dryers, HVAC systems all use 240 VAC. So we're not missing out on anything. If we wanted a 240 volt countertop kettle, we could have an outlet installed and buy a kettle. Nobody I know has a constant water boiling need. If we do, we'll boil it on the stove, which is 240 VAC.

Reply

[-]

BallsOutKrunked@reddit

huh, thanks for 220 history, I always wondered why people will say 110 or 220

Reply

[-]

Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit

This is the best answer I see so far. Technically household voltage varies 110/220 is two legs of a three phase electrical grid. 120/240 is a two phase grid. These vary by location but most these days are 120/240 . Most kitchens already have 220/240 outlets for the range/oven. Wouldn't be hard to have more 220/240 outlets, there's just no point to it. My home is two phase and I already have 240 outlets in the kitchen, laundry, and garage. There's really only one aspect I think we miss out on. Cheaper high draw appliances. We can get things like portable AC units, heaters, kettles, air compressors, etc. in 220, but they're much more expensive than common 110 stuff. Right now I'm cooling with a cheap window AC unit. It's cooling ability is limited by our 1500 W limit. If 3500W outlets where common in the US, it's likely that more powerful window AC units would be available for cheap.

Reply

[-]

fromwayuphigh@reddit

Top of the list is an electric kettle that doesn't operate at the speed of continental drift.

Reply

[-]

BathBrilliant2499@reddit

Weird how they're super popular in Japan, which also uses 120v. Maybe they're just not that useful if you don't drink tea. No, that can't be it. If that was it there would be no reason to call Americans stupid for not having them on the internet. /s

Reply

[-]

WulfTheSaxon@reddit

Also weird that nobody bothers making a 2400W model in the US even though they could.

Reply

[-]

fromwayuphigh@reddit

I'm an American, so take your poor-me whining elsewhere. Tiresome.

Reply

[-]

Medium-Complaint-677@reddit

To be fair 110v takes about 6 minutes and 220v takes about 4 minutes. So yeah, 220v is faster, but it isn't as dramatic as you want it to be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yMMTVVJI4c&ab_channel=TechnologyConnections

Reply

[-]

fromwayuphigh@reddit

I don't want it to be anything, except faster.

Reply

[-]

Medium-Complaint-677@reddit

What would you do with the extra 2 minutes?

Reply

[-]

fromwayuphigh@reddit

Anything I like, which is kind of the point.

Reply

[-]

Medium-Complaint-677@reddit

I'm just curious - my wife drinks tea and I drink coffee. When I come downstairs in the morning I hit the switch on the kettle and I hit brew on the coffee maker, by the time I'm done feeding the dog, both are done. I could absolutely understand your point if it took 10 minutes to boil or whatever, it just seems kind of odd to be so worked up over a hypothetical 2 minutes, especially because unless you're insane, I can't imagine you're just standing there looking at the kettle waiting for it to boil.

Reply

[-]

fromwayuphigh@reddit

I'm not worked up. I'm merely pointing out that higher voltage = faster boiling. I grind my coffee beans and put together my breakfast in the morning while it's going. You're imagining things that simply aren't real, which is clearly skewing your reaction to a statement of very simple fact.

Reply

[-]

jephph_@reddit

>I'm not worked up. I'm merely pointing out that higher voltage = faster boiling. That’s not true It’s higher wattage. You could use a 30 amp breaker at 120v which would give you 3600 watts. The fast heating kettles in the UK max out at around 3000 watts The voltage isn’t really anything to do with it Watts = Volts * Amps Remember? That was a school lesson

Reply

[-]

thatsad_guy@reddit

Can you not do things while it's heating up?

Reply

[-]

fromwayuphigh@reddit

Of course, but that doesn't change the fundamental facts. It's slower. It's not really a matter of contention. You can either argue it or grant it's true.

Reply

[-]

thatsad_guy@reddit

That wasn't the point I was asking about

Reply

[-]

Fit_Permission_6187@reddit

What if I told you, you don't need to stand there and watch it for x minutes.

Reply

[-]

fromwayuphigh@reddit

Nobody's doing that, mate. We have lives.

Reply

[-]

rawbface@reddit

I mean at 6 minutes you might as well use fire, with an acoustic kettle

Reply

[-]

rawbface@reddit

I just use an 'acoustic' kettle. Fire boils water just fine.

Reply

[-]

fromwayuphigh@reddit

I live in a third-floor urban apartment, so analog kettles are in short supply, but I if I had fire, I'd use it.

Reply

[-]

Hotwheels303@reddit

Dang I got a super basic one from target and it boils water in under 3

Reply

[-]

distracted_x@reddit

I don't know what people are talking about when they say that. My electric kettle boils water in like 2 or 3 minutes. I put in in there and walk away and before I know it it's ready. How must faster can it be in the UK?

Reply

[-]

fromwayuphigh@reddit

About 1/3 faster.

Reply

[-]

lacaras21@reddit

I've heard this one a lot, but idk I haven't noticed a difference between the one I have (110V) and the ones I remember using in the UK during my visit a few years ago.

Reply

[-]

fromwayuphigh@reddit

I definitely have. The ones I found in the US before I moved back to 220v land also seemed much poorer quality. Not, it should be said, that they don't sell cheap kettles in the UK, by the way. Just that it's much easier to find one of adequate quality in the UK.

Reply

[-]

ijuinkun@reddit

How odd. My electric kettle takes barely five minutes to boil a full liter, even on a 110v circuit

Reply

[-]

BracedRhombus@reddit

What are Europeans missing out for America appliances? Ice makers?

Reply

[-]

angrysquirrel777@reddit

Despite a microwave being 100% capable of heating up water it blows the mind of some people

Reply

[-]

JudgeWhoOverrules@reddit

It's worse because microwave ovens are specifically engineered to output a 2.45 ghz frequency to heat up water molecules by vibrating them at their resonant frequency. Heating up water is all it's useful for!

Reply

[-]

TrixieLurker@reddit

But it is oh so useful.

Reply

[-]

battleofflowers@reddit

Ice makers, dryers, air conditioners mainly.

Reply

[-]

Remarkable_Table_279@reddit

AC…dryers that work

Reply

[-]

PoopdatGameOUT@reddit

Who tha hell uses kettles,what in Tom Sawyer it’s this

Reply

[-]

Lovebeingadad54321@reddit

Not what in Tom Sawyer…. He’s American…. What in Sherlock Holmes w this? Is the question

Reply

[-]

Lovebeingadad54321@reddit

Having never traveled to Europe, and only twice outside the United States at all, I have no idea what things I have never seen that I am missing out on. It’s like asking someone born blind if the miss seeing colors.

Reply

[-]

Red_Beard_Rising@reddit

We can always install a 240 outlet where we need one. It's common to install a 240 outlet for specific appliances. Since most appliances and tools work fine with only 120, there is no need for the higher voltage in most receptacles.

Reply

[-]

geri73@reddit

I prefer using an old-fashioned tea kettle for tea and coffee.

Reply

[-]

TillPsychological351@reddit

I've lived in the US and in Europe. I can't say I remember any electrical appliance available in Europe that isn't also in the US, or even much performance difference. Even electric water kettles.

Reply

[-]

GhostOfJamesStrang@reddit

I can't weld an F-150 frame in my kitchen. Its a serious inconvenience.

Reply

[-]

Fappy_as_a_Clam@reddit

That's why I got a Tacoma, it fits in my kitchen whereas a full size wouldnt.

Reply

[-]

Conchobair@reddit

Look behind your oven. That probably has the outlet you need.

Reply

[-]

mrinformal@reddit

Sounds like you need a bigger door to your kitchen.

Reply

[-]

therealjerseytom@reddit

I know it's a joke, but, you can get inverter TIG's that run on 110 and do a pretty damn good job.

Reply

[-]

Bluemonogi@reddit

What electrical products do you use in your country that you think we might not have some version of? I only know what is available here so can’t tell you if we are missing out on anything. I expect we have most things and they probably work fine.

Reply

[-]

Raving_Lunatic69@reddit

I dunno. Please tell us so we can haz sadz.

Reply

[-]

Particular_Owl_8029@reddit

we also have 220v for heavy electric items like dryers and stoves

Reply

[-]

No-Lunch4249@reddit

Yeah feels like OP's question started from a false premise. Because I'm pretty sure most homes have that same setup with 220 in key rooms like the kitchen and laundry, just not throughout the house

Reply

[-]

machagogo@reddit

Of course it did. Facts don't matter when the topic is AmeribadEuroJerk.

Reply

[-]

SnooRadishes7189@reddit

All houses are capable of having a 240 volt outlet. It is just a rewiring of the existing lines to the house.

Reply

[-]

eyetracker@reddit

Going to ask the Canada or Japan subs the same question?

Reply

[-]

CalmRip@reddit

Since we have actual electric outlets *in our bathrooms,* we are able to use hairdryers, curling irons, and electric shaves in the room meant for grooming, so on that account, we're ahead of the UK (guessing OP's country based on the reference to electric "mains").

Reply

[-]

illegalsex@reddit

I don't think we're missing anything. Can you? We have 240v outlets for the appliances that need them.

Reply

[-]

danhm@reddit

A lot of people don't understand how electricity works. It's not just volts. Our circuits have higher amperage. Volts (electric potential) * amperage (current) = watts (power). European outlets are typically at 10 amps so they are a little higher (2300 watts) compared to a typical American outlet of 15 (1800 watts). In reality American appliances tend to max out at around 1500 watts so they don't trip the breaker if you use your toaster oven and the microwave timer at the same time.

Reply

[-]

G17Gen3@reddit

Every single day, all Americans gnash their teeth, beat their chests, and howl in lament that a kettle of our water takes us 12.8 seconds longer to boil than our British betters. Come back, come back King George! We were so very wrong! Please come back and lift us from our squalor! 🥺

Reply

[-]

DBDude@reddit

If nothing else, our cables have to be thicker for the same wattage we expect them to carry.

Reply

[-]

JimBones31@reddit

I don't know, they aren't sold here.

Reply

[-]

cbrooks97@reddit

This is America. I'm pretty sure if someone wants it, they make a version that'll work on our power grid.

Reply

[-]

bryku@reddit

Electricty comes in 3 lines: 120, 120, and neutral. Meaning we get [240 volts](https://www.electricaltechnology.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Difference-Between-120V-and-240V.png). That being said, 240 isn't really needed outside some larger appliances like driers, water heaters, and chargers.   There have been attempts to remove it and you can find some houses without it. This is because you are far more likely to survive 120v than 240v. It all depends on the path and and other factors.   Since most houses still have it, we can still use it for the few things that require it. A great example are car chargers, which have become more popular over recent years.   However, I don't really think there are many other benefits.   I've heard electric kettles get hotter a minute or two quicker, but if that is your only problem you can probably microwave it even faster. Although, there are probably other heating appliances that may be a bit slower, but the difference is so small. Is saving a few minutes really worth the increased risk and expensive?  

Reply

[-]

SquidsArePeople2@reddit

None

Reply

[-]

Joel_feila@reddit

nothing

Reply

[-]

ProfPretzelMan@reddit

Some phones have slightly faster charging speeds in other countries. For example the OnePlus 13 is 85w in the US and 100w in countries with 220v.

Reply

[-]

ShoddyRevolutionary@reddit

A general use 15 amp, 120V circuit has capacity of 1800W. There is no reason a phone couldn’t charge at 100W in the US. I own several 100W USB-C adapters. There might be other reasons for the difference but it isn’t because of the voltage at our receptacles.

Reply

[-]

Quicherbichen1@reddit

The last time I bought a new washer and dryer, they each came with 2 power cords that had to be attached to the machines. One for US hook-up the other for European connections. We're not "missing" anything...we just have different connectors.

Reply

[-]

LizaBlue4U@reddit

Not missing a single thing. It’s easy to add whatever voltage we need.

Reply

[-]

ShoddyRevolutionary@reddit

I kind of wish we had three phase residential. I know some countries do. Would be good for car chargers and other high draw appliances. Higher voltage would also be nice for the ability to use smaller gauge wires for the same wattage but that’s generally not as big of a deal as Europeans make it out to be. Either way, I doubt Japan gets nearly as much condescension for their 100V residential. And somehow both Japan and the US seem to get along just fine without higher voltage.

Reply

[-]

Help1Ted@reddit

Honestly sounds like you’ve put more thought into this than I ever could. What do you feel we are missing?

Reply

[-]

battleofflowers@reddit

I lived in Germany for years and I didn't notice any difference whatsoever in my life by using 220.

Reply

[-]

Help1Ted@reddit

Exactly! We have and use higher voltage where needed. I don’t feel like I would even need it for anything else.

Reply

[-]

thirdeyefish@reddit

We have access to 240 Volts for any major appliance with a heating element like stoves and dryers. And, increasingly, electric car charging. Most of our stuff doesn't require a lot of power, so while the copper on cords may need to be thicker, that tends not to add substantially to the cost. Most of our electronics need low voltage DC and so transform and rectify the incoming power anyway. Refrigerators, fans, all fine. The one rub would be, in regions where we use gas for heating, apartment dwellers may not have a 240 receptacle available for air conditioning. Which has led to the mass proliferation of 120V window and portable air conditioners, which has in turn lowered the consideration for making sure we have a 240V outlet by the window.

Reply

[-]

MrsBenSolo1977@reddit

Window and portable a/c units use 110.

Reply

[-]

12B88M@reddit

As others have said, we aren't missing out as American homes use 120V for most things, but we have 240V available if we need it. We can also have single or 3 phase power. I think a lot of Europeans don't understand that 120V is just half of 240V. So you get 240V run to the house and just split one leg off to get 120V.

Reply

[-]

TucsonTacos@reddit

Most outlets are 110V but the house itself is a dual 110v which acts as a 220v if need be. That’s why the plug for your larger appliances looks different. My microwave doesn’t need the same power as my washing machine

Reply

[-]

velociraptorfarmer@reddit

It's know as split phase power. Our homes get 220V in on 2 separate phases, each with 110V. Which means we can split them to get 110V, or use it as is for 220V.

Reply

[-]

Responsible_Side8131@reddit

My clothes dryer uses a 220v outlet. There’s one in my laundry room specifically for that.

Reply

[-]

TsundereLoliDragon@reddit

Nothing?

Reply

[-]

HegemonNYC@reddit

What a silly question. What appliances explode in flames when plugged in in your country?

Reply

[-]

silvermoonhowler@reddit

Not too much, as not everything we use needs 220 If I'm not mistaken, 220V is only needed for large appliances like washers and driers and stuff, and also if you have an EV (which yes, you could get away with charging only on 110V, but it'll take all the longer to charge compared to if you just had a 220V outlet installed in your garage/where you park it)

Reply

[-]

Lean_Lion1298@reddit

Ya know, I didn't even know this was a thing. I'd say I'm not missing anything.

Reply

[-]

virtual_human@reddit

You know we have 220v electricity in our houses, right? I have a clothes dryer, stove, oven, water heater, table saw, and dust collector all running on 220v. Nothing else in my house needs that kind of power. As for electric kettles, we drink a lot more coffee than tea. My coffee maker has a timer so the coffee is ready when I get up so the extra few minutes it takes to heat the water is irrelevant to me.

Reply

[-]

velociraptorfarmer@reddit

Our homes have 220V where needed. My old house had a 220V outlet in the garage on its own circuit that could be used for an electric car or a welder. My current home has 220V in the garage for the water heater, in the kitchen for the stove, and in the mudroom for the dryer.

Reply

[-]

Hot_Car6476@reddit

I can’t think of a single thing.

Reply

[-]

Solomon_knows@reddit

Our stove/oven and dryer are typically 220V.. all other appliances are made for 110V.. we aren’t missing anything.

Reply

[-]

LiveMarionberry3694@reddit

We have 220v…. My dryer runs on it 110 is just the standard for the rest of my outlets

Reply

[-]

Yeegis@reddit

Kettles are really the only one. And even then they’re still decently fast (4 minutes or so) We do actually have 220v readily available but it’s not the default for safety reasons.

Reply

[-]

DuelJ@reddit

I'll first point out we are the least qualified people to talk about what we're missing, and also 240 :p

Reply

[-]

anneofgraygardens@reddit

I've spent a lot of time in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and nothing really comes to mind. People have said that an electric kettle doesn't heat up as fast but I've had electric kettles in a few countries and while there might be a difference, it's not particularly noticeable to me as an average person who isn't standing over the kettle with a stopwatch.

Reply

[-]

fakesaucisse@reddit

I always hear electric kettles, but mine heats up to boiling in 30 seconds. I don't feel like I need it to be any faster than that.

Reply

[-]

ShipComprehensive543@reddit

nothing.

Reply

[-]

rawbface@reddit

Absolutely nothing. People who drone on about electric kettles are forgetting the fact that most Americans DO IN FACT own an electric kettle already. We just call it a "coffee machine". Guess what it spits out if you don't put coffee in it?

Reply

[-]

albertnormandy@reddit

Anything involving heating elements. To make up for lower voltage we require higher amperage for the same wattage. Amperage is limited by wire size, so the end result is that products like electric kettles are just undersized compared to overseas. Larger loads like stoves and water heaters use 230V, so no real difference from Europe.

Reply

[-]

ApprehensivePie1195@reddit

I'm not missing anything

Reply

[-]

therealjerseytom@reddit

Nothing comes to mind.

Reply

Reply to Post

181 Comments