The bursting of the tech bubble and the minor recession of 2001 knocked about a point off the peak rate of 67.3% in April 2000, but even after the Great Recession ended in June 2009 the rate was 65.7%.

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These are the sort of things you would expect, Wi-fi-connected appliances like refrigerators, ovens and washers that can download recipes or take advantage of off-peak electricity rate times.

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They must note, though, that the market is still more than 30% off its peak, and the rate of distressed properties, while substantially lower than in 2009, is still far above the historical average.

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At the same time, the utilities charge residential consumers a flat rate, giving them no incentive to run appliances during off-peak hours.

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