| When you turn on an electric or gas burner, a | | | | (Be aware that the proposed energy legislation will |
| good deal of the heat does not go to the pan, | | | | affect the cost of any fossil based fuel and prices |
| but into the air. If you open the oven door, the | | | | will go up for both natural gas and electricity. How |
| heat rushes out of the oven and into the air and | | | | much they will rise is not yet known.) Overall, the |
| the oven has to reheat. When you turn off an | | | | savings of gas over electric has historically been |
| electric burner, even though the the power is off, | | | | minimal and amounts to less than $50 a year in |
| heat is still given off and is considered to be | | | | savings. If you are a cook that prefers gas, there |
| wasted. So by strict definition of "energy | | | | are many options from which to choose. Many of |
| efficiency" one of the most used appliances in | | | | the most popular brands are carried by Lowes, |
| your home just doesn't measure up. | | | | Home Depot and Sears. |
| Even though cooktops and ranges do not earn | | | | Energy Efficient Ranges and Cooktops - Which to |
| the Energy Star rating under today's standards, | | | | Buy - Induction, Gas, or Electric |
| there are some products that are more efficient | | | | The most energy efficient cooking solution would |
| than others. | | | | be an induction cook top with an electric |
| I am in the market for a new kitchen stove and | | | | convection oven, followed by a gas cooktop with |
| began the research to find the most energy | | | | an electric/convection oven. Convection ovens are |
| efficient product that fit into my budget. With the | | | | a little more expensive than an electric or gas |
| tax credits available for Energy Star appliances, I | | | | only oven, but they require less cooking time, so |
| asked if there were any Energy Star rated | | | | you are using less energy and reducing your time |
| stoves (ranges if you will). The answer is, no. | | | | in the kitchen. For the busy family, less time is a |
| Why? Very simply, because energy efficiency is | | | | real plus. All in one gas or electric units are the |
| measured on how much energy it takes to | | | | cheapest solution, but not the most energy |
| perform a particular function compared to how | | | | efficient. The differences in operating costs |
| much energy is lost or wasted by that same | | | | depend greatly on the utility prices in your area. |
| process. | | | | However, the cost difference, based on the |
| Solar Powered | | | | national average of gas vs electricity, is only a |
| There are some small solar powered stoves and | | | | few cents, with natural gas being the cheaper. |
| hybrid solar (solar with electric backup) for those | | | | Price Comparison |
| days when the sun doesn't shine on the market | | | | So, if you're in the market for a new range or |
| today. Most of the specifications indicate a minimal | | | | cooktop and your primary objective is saving |
| temperature range and have very limited | | | | energy, go for an induction cooktop with an |
| capacity. The largest capacity I found measured | | | | electric/convection oven. For that system, budget |
| 21.25 inches square by 7.78 inches deep. If you | | | | between $1700 for a fully featured system and |
| are looking to experiment with solar cooking, | | | | $9500 for a whiz bang designer, professional |
| there are any number of plans on the internet to | | | | grade system. |
| build your own solar stove using materials found | | | | If natural gas or propane is available in your area, |
| around your home. However, the solar solution | | | | the next best combo would be a gas cook top |
| may not be the most practical for a busy family. | | | | and an electric/convection oven. Prices vary |
| For now, being somewhat of a pragmatist, I've | | | | considerably, ranging from under $1000 for a |
| focused my search and the following article on | | | | basic model to the mid-range of $1700 -$2500 for |
| the more practical options for today's busy family. | | | | a full featured stainless steel unit. If you have |
| Induction/Electromagnetic | | | | even a higher budget, there are some magnificent |
| The new induction cooktops and ranges are the | | | | options for the person who really enjoys cooking |
| most efficient on the market tody. Induction | | | | ranging in price between $3000 and $20,000. |
| cooking surface, when turned on and a metal pan | | | | If the electric option is all you have, don't despair. |
| is on the cooking element, produce an electrical | | | | Remember that the differences in energy |
| current in the cooktop which creates a magnetic | | | | consumption and energy cost between the gas or |
| field that causes the pan to heat and cook your | | | | electric options are not that significant. By going |
| food. It's like magic. Even if the burner is turned | | | | the extra step and purchasing an electric cook |
| on, when the pan is not touching the surface, you | | | | top with an electric/convection oven, you will be |
| could lay your hand on the element. It's instant on | | | | reducing oven cooking time and, thus, energy |
| and off. I've actually done this and was quite | | | | consumption. Any reduction in energy |
| amazed. There is no heat loss when you remove | | | | consumption is a positive and will produce some |
| the pan, which makes the induction cooktop more | | | | cost savings. Prices for these units vary from |
| efficient than other cooking surfaces. The pans | | | | $1500 to $2000 for fully featured stainless steel |
| must have flat bottoms and be made of metal or | | | | units. These are available from most appliance |
| the electromagnetic heating process won't work. | | | | manufacturers. If your budget is less than $1500, |
| Most major appliance manufacturers offer an | | | | check out prices on the internet. There are good |
| induction cooktop (no oven). If you are trying to | | | | deals to be found on this type of stove. If I'm still |
| replace an all-in-one cooktop and oven, there are | | | | talking above your budget, "all electric" or "all gas" |
| several manufactures: Samsung, Kenmore, Viking, | | | | ranges vary in price from $258 to $1500. Keep in |
| GE, and Diva. The oven component is typically | | | | mind that the very low end products will not |
| electric with a convection option. Like most new | | | | typically be self-cleaning, nor will they have the |
| technologies, the induction cooking appliances are | | | | insulation to keep the heat inside the oven when |
| still expensive. However, over the past year, | | | | cooking, nor will the temperature control of the |
| prices have dropped. | | | | oven be very precise. |
| Natural Gas or Propane vs Electric | | | | While cooking units are not energy efficient |
| If an expensive cooktop or range is not in your | | | | according to the standards set by Energy Star. |
| plan, there are other options. Based on current | | | | Since there are not significant differences in |
| natural gas prices, natural gas, is still slightly | | | | energy cost among the options, it boils down to |
| cheaper to operate than an electric cooktop.. So, | | | | budget, cooking style, and availability of natural |
| if you're investigating appliances based on cost of | | | | gas/propane. I've given you some things to think |
| operation, you'll want to investigate average | | | | about when purchasing that new stove and, |
| prices of electricity vs natural gas in your area. | | | | hopefully, you found them useful. |