How much does it cost to run an oven?

Want to know how much it costs to run an oven? Fill in the details of your oven into the oven electricity calculator below to find out.

Calculating your oven’s running cost

When calculating the running costs of your oven, you’ll need your oven’s wattage, your rate for electricity, and an understanding of energy price caps and guarantees.

Energy price caps and guarantees

The energy price cap is a limit set by the government or regulatory body on the price that energy suppliers can charge you per unit of electricity. This cap ensures that your energy bills do not exceed a certain amount.

The energy price guarantee, on the other hand, is a commitment from energy suppliers that the price you pay for a unit of electricity will remain consistent over a certain period.

The unit rate for electricity is typically measured in pence per kilowatt-hour (p/kWh). To find out the unit cost of electricity you’re paying, check your latest energy bill or contact your supplier.

Once you have the unit rate, you can use our oven electricity costs calculator to estimate your oven’s running costs. The calculator uses this formula:

Hourly use, for example 1 or 1.5 hours = Wattage in Kilowatts × kWh cost × usage time in hours

Usage in minutes, for example 30 or 45 minutes = Wattage in Kilowatts × kWh cost × usage time in minutes / 60

Example 1 (Hours)

If your oven uses 2000 watts (2 kWh) and you use it for 1 hour at a cost of £0.29 kWh, your calculation will be:

2 × 0.29 × 1 = £0.58 per hour.

Example 2 (Minutes)

If your oven uses 2000 watts (2 kWh) and you use it for 30 minutes at a cost of £0.29 kWh, your calculation will be:

2 × 0.29 × 30 / 60 = £0.29 for 30 minutes.

Always refer to your latest energy bill or contact your supplier for the most accurate and current pricing information.

Are electric ovens energy efficient?

Electric ovens are generally considered to be more energy-efficient than their gas counterparts. This is mainly because they can reach the desired temperature faster, and distribute heat more evenly, thereby reducing cooking times and saving energy.

Compared to gas ovens, electric ovens also tend to have better insulation, which helps to keep heat in, making them more efficient during longer cooking sessions.

However, it’s important to note that the exact energy efficiency of an oven can also depend on other factors, such as its size, age, and model.

Some newer electric ovens also come equipped with additional features that can help save energy, such as convection cooking. Convection cooking uses a fan to circulate hot air, which can result in faster cooking times and lower overall energy consumption.

Factors influencing oven energy cost

Now that you know how to work out your oven’s electricity cost, here are a few things that will influence how much electricity your oven uses:

Size of oven: The size of the oven you choose can also affect its energy consumption.  A larger oven will typically use more energy than a smaller one, as it requires more heat to reach and maintain the desired temperature.

Energy rating: Modern ovens come with an energy rating label, providing a guide to their energy efficiency. An oven with an ‘A’ rating is more energy-efficient than one rated ‘G’. Your oven’s energy rating will affect the kWh used and, consequently, its running cost.

Usage time: The amount of time an oven is used also affects its energy usage. The more you use your oven, the higher your energy consumption will be.

Consider cooking multiple dishes at once to reduce the number of times you need to use your oven throughout the day.

Cooking habits: Do you frequently check on your food while it’s cooking? Do you open the oven door often?

These habits can significantly impact energy use as every time the oven door is opened, heat escapes, and the oven needs to use more energy to regain the desired temperature.

Oven maintenance: Proper maintenance of your oven can also play a role in energy usage. A dirty oven can lead to inefficient heat distribution, resulting in longer cooking times and higher energy consumption.

Regularly cleaning your oven and ensuring proper ventilation can help keep energy use at a minimum.