Cooking

The federal government doesn't set energy regulations for stovetops or ovens. Therefore, there are no EnergyGuide labels or ENERGY STAR qualifications for these products. Follow these guidelines in order to choose the most efficient appliances.

How often do you cook?

From fuel type, to burner type, to even the type of cookware you use, the energy efficiency of oven and stovetop equipment can vary greatly. However, the average busy American family has shifted from eating at home to eating prepared or takeout food as much or more than home cooked meals. Although there are several options to help save energy in the kitchen, the benefits of more expensive, energy-efficient appliances and cookware may not be worth the investment if your family doesn't cook often. It may be more effective to invest your money in other energy-saving options such as a new refrigerator or weatherizing your home.

It’s about how, not what

Because cooking appliances aren't subject to federal government efficiency regulations, the industry has focused more on convenience features and aesthetics rather than saving energy. However, studies have shown that adjusting cooking habits alone could decrease your cooking energy consumption by 50%, making it the largest factor in cooking energy use.

Stovetops

Most new gas stovetops have electric ignitions rather than standard pilots. These can save an immense amount of energy, regardless of how often you cook.

There's a range of options for electric stovetops, with the more efficient options generally being more expensive. However, if you don't cook often, the increased efficiency of more advanced electric elements may not be cost-effective. Consider investing in higher quality cookware instead. For instance, copper-bottom pans heat up faster than regular pans, and cook food more evenly.

The most efficient electric stovetops are magnetic induction followed by halogen elements. These are both more efficient (about 80%, compared to 70%) than standard electric coil elements.  They also heat up quicker than electric coil elements.

Ovens

Convection ovens are more efficient because they continuously circulate the heat, allowing you to decrease the cooking time and temperature. However, the savings are only realized if you cook with a full oven, with large pans or several pans at once. Be sure to correctly size the oven for your needs.

Also look for an oven with a self-cleaning function. These models have additional insulation, which improves their efficiency.

As with stove tops, purchase better cookware to enhance the efficiency of your oven. Glass or ceramic pans are typically better than metal—you can turn down the temperature about 25°F and cook foods just as quickly.