IT’S not your fridge or your dishwasher that’s driving up your electric bills.
It’s another unsuspecting appliance.
Vampire appliances can use up energy while they’re not in use, impacting your utility bill (stock photo).[/caption]
Electric ovens are responsible for a lot of energy use.
On average, ovens use 3,000 watts per hour and can reach as high as 5,000 watts, according to BKV Energy.
The exact wattage used also depends on what you’re using the oven for.
When baking or broiling at high temperatures, you’re cooking for a longer time and therefore using more energy than if you were just reheating leftovers.
The size of your oven can also contribute to high electric bills.
The bigger the oven, the more electricity it uses. This due to the larger heating elements and longer cook times.
BKV found a standard oven using an average of 3,000 watts could come out to 45 cents per hour of usage. While that may not sound like a lot, it adds up on a monthly and yearly basis.
The cost can especially add up during times of peak food cooking, like the holiday season.
BKV said people use their ovens around 150 to 300 hours annually which can cost around $67.50 to $135 on that 45 cent basis.
Avista Connections found that households in the U.S. typically spend around $2,200 a year on energy bills, with 13 to 20% of the energy consumption coming from appliances.
WAYS TO SAVE
Avista provided some insight into saving energy with your oven.
One way to save energy is to thaw frozen foods before putting them in the oven to help cut down on cooking time.
You can also opt for glass or ceramic dishes, allowing you to lower the oven setting by 25° F.
You can further cut down on energy by allowing proper heat circulation.
One way to do that is by leaving at least two inches between pans in the oven.
List of Vampire Appliances
Vampire appliances refers to appliances that use electricity when the devices are plugged in, but not in use.
- Televisions
- Computers
- Refigerators
- Thermostats
- Washers & Dryers
- Air Conditioning
- Water Heaters
- Small kitchen appliances: microwaves, coffee makers
One way to save on vampire energy is by unplugging items not in use when possible, such as blenders and toasters.
Sources: Positive Energy Solar and Just Energy
You can further reduce your oven’s electricity usage by maximizing the ovens space, cooking more than one dish at a time.
You should also avoid opening the oven door when possible as each time it opens, you lose heat, requiring the oven to work harder to maintain the right temperature.
Another way to cut down on energy is by determining whether or not you actually need to preheat your oven.
According to Yahoo, some modern ovens are designed to let you skip the preheating step, which can help lower your energy bills and decrease your time in the kitchen.
You can find this out by looking into the owner’s manual of your oven, which can likely be found online if you don’t have a physical copy.
OVEN SHOPPING
If you’re thinking of replacing your oven anytime soon, you can opt for an energy-efficient electric oven to help reduce your utility bill.
A convection oven can be worthwhile as you can cook food faster at lower temperatures, resulting in lower energy consumption.
Ovens with induction cooktops may also be worthwhile as they utilize an electromagnetic field to heat pots and pans instead of relying on electricity.
