Virtually all households have a stove, refrigerator, and television. Beyond these three appliances, ownership varies considerably by appliance and by income (Table 5-10). The refrigerator is necessary for storing food, and the stove for cooking. Television has probably become a universal household appliance because it is a relatively inexpensive form of entertainment and information (free except for electricity costs after purchase) and because it is always available. With roughly the same amount of money, a family of four can either go to the movies once a month for a year or buy a television set and see movies every day (if they are so inclined) for a number of years.

As would be expected, the poor are the least likely to have the most energy consuming or the fancy versions of the basic appliances. For example, one-quarter of the poor have color television while three-fourths of the well off