After having lived without hot running water on and off for four years or so, I am convinced that it is life's greatest luxury, with a washing machine coming a close second. It transforms a life of labor to a life of comfort. When I think about all that is involved in getting water on demand, much less hot water on demand, the fact that it is possible to have at all is a small miracle.

Our first experience with hot running water in our own little house? Pure magic.