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How much does it cost to use an oven?

How much does it cost to use a hob?

Information on the energy consumption and running costs of cooking appliances is not readily available. Energy efficiency labelling is in place for electric ovens but not for gas ovens. Also there are no energy labels for hobs, either electric or gas. So if you are choosing a new cooker, how can you assess likely running costs and are differences in running costs sufficient to influence your purchasing decision? Below are some tips to help you.

Ovens: Small Vs Large

The EU energy label for electric ovens gives an indication of energy efficiency in relation to the size of the oven. Ovens are classified as small, medium and large. The table below shows the approximate annual running costs of ‘A’ rated small,  medium and large electric ovens based on the average number of times a cooker is used each year*.

Oven size
Energy Rating Energy Consumption per use Cost per use @ current prices Estimated annual running cost (223 uses per year)
Small 12 - 35 litres A 0.60 kWh £0.163
(0.1kg)
£36.26
(31.2kg)
Medium 35 - 65 litres A 0.80 kWh £0.217
(0.2kg)
£48.346
(41.6kg)
Large > 65 litres A 1.00 kWh £0.271
(0.2kg)
£60.433
(52kg)

As would be expected small ovens cost less to run than large ovens, even though they are all ‘A’ rated. The differences are not large, but you will save money on both the purchase cost and running cost if you buy the smallest oven to suit your needs.

Ovens: Gas Vs Electric

In recent years there has been a trend towards electric ovens, partly because of an increase in the number of built-in appliances where installation of electric ovens can be more convenient. Also electric ovens are perceived to give a more even heating; although heating performance is as much down to oven design as fuel type. But what are the differences in running costs? The table below compares the annual running costs of gas and electric ovens.

Oven type Average Energy Consumption per use* Cost per use  at current prices Estimated annual running cost (223 uses per year)
Gas 1.52 kWh £0.109
(0.3kg)
£24.405
(71.2kg)
Electric 1.09 kWh £0.295
(0.3kg)
£65.872
(56.6kg)
*Defra Policy Brief: Improving the energy performance of domestic cooking products July 2008<
* MTP Programme BNCK01: Assumptions underlying the energy projections of cooking appliances

As can be seen, gas ovens are much cheaper to run than electric ovens, gas is also a much more efficient energy source so it will have lower CO2 emissions. However for fan assisted electric ovens use around 20% less energy than conventional electric ovens as they heat up and cool down quicker.

Hobs: Gas Vs Electric

The table below shows that gas hobs are much cheaper to run than electric hobs. In recent years electric induction hobs have been introduced which offer much more heating control and are also more energy efficient than standard electric hobs. However induction hobs can cost up to £ 200 or more to purchase than a standard electric hob although savings on your electric bill will only be in the region of £ 10 per year.

Hob type
Average energy consumption per use*
Cost per use  at current prices Estimated annual running cost (424 uses per year)
Gas 0.90 kWh £0.065
(0.2kg)
£27.475
(80.1kg)
Electric 0.72 kWh £0.195
(0.2kg)
£82.731
(71.1kg)
Electric Induction 0.504 kWh £0.137
(0.1kg)
£57.912
(49.8kg)
LPG Hob 0.9 kWh £0.11
(0.2kg)
£46.555
(91.6kg)
*Defra Policy Brief: Improving the energy performance of domestic cooking products July 2008

Conclusions: gas vs electric cooking

Based on the average energy consumption of gas and electric appliances, cooking with gas is much cheaper, summary costs are shown below.

Fuel type Estimated annual running cost
Gas hob and oven £27.475
(80.1kg) + £24.405
(71.2kg)
Electric hob and oven £82.731
(71.1kg) + £65.872
(56.6kg)
Gas hob and electric oven £27.475
(80.1kg) + £65.872
(56.6kg)

Gas is a significantly cheaper fuel and you could save up to £ 40 on your energy bills by using gas appliances as opposed to electric. Many people have electric ovens and gas hobs, which will cost approximately £ 40 per year. These figures are estimates and should be used for guidance only. These costs do not include the costs of clocks and timers used with some ovens, these are minimal.

Comments and Questions

Comments are Closed
Energy Labelling - PaulM  2018-04-24 08:35:24
Just to update the intro, Gas ovens do now have an energy label since January 2015. The regulation is 65/2014/Eu and can be found on google. The oven sizes have been scrapped and replaced with a new calculation including the volume. It didn't make much difference to the energy banding.
From my experience gas is 55-65% efficient, ceramic hot plates are 65-75% efficient and induction hot plates are 80-90% efficient. The cost of gas v electric makes gas more attractive.
reply - rdh  2018-04-24 10:27:32
Thanks very much for the data, that all looks correct to me for the Hobs. I am very impressed by induction hobs, so fast and so little waste, but yes still a bit more to run than gas. I will add this when a get a minute
Cheers
Richard
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Mr - Ed  2018-01-16 19:11:46
I am trying to get a comparison between running an induction plate and a LPG (Propane) bulk domestic tank supply two burner camping gas unit please.
reply - rdh  2018-01-16 21:01:55
Hi Ed
When you say an induction plate can I just make sure of what you mean. There is often confusion about these hobs, do you mean electromagnetic induction, the type where you can only use iron pans?
Cheers
Richard

thanks for reply by email. I have added LPG hob to the hob list hoe this helps

https://www.confusedaboutenergy.co.uk/index.php/buying-household-appliances/cookers
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Other costs - toonmag50  2017-12-02 15:30:52
Yes your tables of savings between gas and electric cookers look interesting.
Unfortunately you have not mentioned the labour cost of installing the gas pipework which in certain ridiculous parts of the UK the cost would never be recouped in the lifetime of the householder
reply - rdh  2017-12-02 16:13:06
Hi

Yes you are completely correct. But we do not cover the difference in the costs of the cookers either.

These tables are not about investment ROI but are mostly about the running costs. There are too many variable to cover gas install, electrical install or indeed the outlay for the cooker.

As said you are correct, if you do not have gas installed in your property the cost of installing it is a serious impediment to use.

Induction is a good bet, they cost a bit more than other electrical cookers and the hobs are very efficient. But there is a problem here too, you would need to invest in iron pots and pans, aluminium will not work.

Cheers

Richard
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Mr - Mike Cook  2016-11-21 13:02:28
The last oven I bought had an A energy rating but it was rubbish. It took far too long to heat up. The main fan heater didn't come on for about four minuets after turning the fan oven on, only a small, low level heater came on. Was this design blunder driven by some parameter in the energy efficiency test? Are all efficient ovens rubbish?
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mrs - laura  2016-07-14 07:40:11
We are buying a new oven which will get heavy use as I have a home baking business. I would like a 900mm wide, single cavity oven. Not sure whether to pay more and get an oven with an energy rating of 'A' or a slightly cheaper one with a rating of 'B'. Is there any way of calculating how much more efficient the 'A' would be? Any help much appreciated.
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Induction Hobs - Brenda Greer  2016-01-22 12:18:02
We are building an Eco house and must have all appliances A+ or higher. Nowhere can I find the Energy Ratings of these hobs - can you help?
reply - richard  2016-01-22 13:17:51
Hi is this a self imposed requirement? or an external requirement?

Induction is highly efficient.
Cooking with Gas vs Electric - Gillian  2022-09-03 11:31:17
My calculations (can't guarantee accuracy): 1 hob ring = 1 kwh & oven = 2 kwh, so 30 mins hob & 30 mins oven use = 1.5 kWh per day; So probably 45 kWh per month. In Oct 2022, energy prices will double. Electric will cost 52p kWh so 45 x 52p = £23.40 per month (£281 per year) for cooking; Gas will cost 15p kWh so 45 x 15p = £6.75 per month (£81 per year) for cooking; . So switch to gas cooker would save me £17 per month (£200 per year); Purchase new gas cooker £210 + £85 install = £315 from Currys would pay for itself in 18 months. Hope just £85 basic install as got visible gas pipes into combi boiler above nearby kitchen s
Cooking with Gas vs Electric - Gillian  2022-09-04 02:05:32
My calculations (can't guarantee accuracy): 1 hob ring = 1 kwh & oven = 2 kwh, so 30 mins hob & 30 mins oven use = 1.5 kWh per day; So probably 45 kWh per month. In Oct 2022, energy prices will double. Electric will cost 52p kWh so 45 x 52p = £23.40 per month (£281 per year) for cooking; Gas will cost 15p kWh so 45 x 15p = £6.75 per month (£81 per year) for cooking; . So switch to gas cooker would save me £17 per month (£200 per year); Purchase new gas cooker £210 + £85 install = £315 from Currys would pay for itself in 18 months. Hope just £85 basic install as got visible gas pipes into combi boiler above nearby kitchen s
Boil kettle of water for tea - Janet  2022-09-05 02:18:53
1 kWh Gas hob to boil kettle 5 mins = 0.083 kWh x 0.15 (15p kWh in Oct 2022) = abt 1.3p per boil? Compared to one boil of Electric kettle which will cost 8p in Oct. Looks like using old fashioned whistling kettle on gas hob would be a sixth of the cost of using electric kettle. In my house, we boil kettle 10x day so 80p daily could be reduced to 13p per day going old school.
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Boiling 1pt of Water (2 mugs) - Martin Taylor  2015-12-10 11:48:44
3kw Elec Kettle = 1.5min = 0.075kw = £0.0117
Gas Hob = 4.5min = 0.03692ft3 = 0.01161kw = £0.00058

Thus gas cost is 6% to that of using an electric kettle.

Base temperature for comparison was 18°C
reply - rdh  2015-12-10 21:09:53
kW --kilowatt is power. Multiply power by time to give energy

1.5 minutes is 0.025 hours

3 kW * 0.025 hours = 0.075 kWh NOT kw

electricity rate at 15.6 pence per kilowatt hour

0.075 * 0.156 = £0.0117

The gas calculation does not make sense to me

0.03692ft3 of gas has 1.19 kWh of energy

gas rate at 5 pence per kilowatt hour

1.19 kWh * 0.05 = £0.06

is your meter in meters cubed, then it would be

0.413 kWh * 0.05 = £0.02

either way the hob is inefficient

cheers

Richard
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Mrs - Shirley Massey  2015-07-11 09:24:08
We are moving soon and the house has a lovely big gas cooker, is it possible to have an induction hob on top of a gas oven.
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Mr - tim johnston  2015-06-20 09:13:45
simple question. We are moving to a new home, no mains gas. I want to know what would be more economical. electric cooker or bottled LPG cooker, I would only use LPG for cooking.
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Great info - Steph Read  2015-06-09 22:24:55
Hi
Thanks for your info on the efficiency of gas v electric hobs & ovens. Also was really helpful to calculate the size of oven running costs that really helps me thank you.
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which hob - Gwynneth  2015-03-16 12:28:40
Please can you tell me how much electricity a solid hob uses, both large and small rings.
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Kettle Usage Electric Vs Hob - Shannen  2015-03-02 11:44:55
Hi I am final year design student who is currently designing a new sustainable kettle for a project that I hope will address the energy issues surrounding kettle use, as well as other sustainability issues.

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone interested could take these two short surveys regarding their kettle usage and whether they prefer electric or hob kettles:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K688TFV

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G7XF6SD

Thanks in advance
reply - Shannen  2015-03-03 22:38:59
Hi Richard,

Thank you so much, that's very helpful.
I will be collecting data till the end of March so I'm looking for responses until then,

Thanks again,
Shannen
reply - rdh  2015-03-02 12:08:00
Hi
I have put your question on our home page, so you will get more hits on the survey. Hope this is useful. Please tell me how long it should be there.
cheers
Richard
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Mr - John  2014-09-16 08:51:50
Cooking for one, is it cheaper to use a small/mini electric oven or a conventionally sized gas oven?

John
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gas v electric price' - Eric Palmer  2014-07-20 15:19:13
With any comparison one must look at the whole not in isolation and gas required one to have an extractor in order to remove combustion produces and as a result also will cost more for heating the house.
To have an oven where one can’t control temperature, but only energy used which will clearly have an impact on temperature and where the heat type, top, bottom, side or fan can’t be selected even solid fuel allowed that, means for gas the cooker has to run longer before the food is put in.
The hob clearly has a safety issue with a naked flame and any idea of it turning off and on again as the pan is removed and returned or to auto switch off with over heating is just not seen with gas.
Add to that house design where ceilings need to be far higher with gas so the cook is not also cooked as the gas heats up the kitchen there is no real comparison.
I am sure if some one put forward the idea of cooking on gas in the home today it would be immediately banned on health and safety issues only because it was invented so long ago is it permitted just like smoking.
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Cooking for one - Richard  2013-12-28 13:42:47
I am trying to work out, as a single person, if buying a 'cheap' cut of meat that requires hours of cooking would actually be cheaper than buying, for example, a sirloin steak that could be done on the hob in minutes.Anybody else thought about cheap cuts from this viewpoint...and any answers/advice much appreciated as I love red meat but just cannot afford!
reply - Richard  2014-01-02 10:42:08
This is not an accurate answer more a quick thought and an estimate. I think there may be something to this, but it is very marginal. If you are cooking for one, it may just cheaper to buy the steak. For electricity it may cost 25 to 50 pence to slow cook the cheaper cut, for gas about a third of this. If you are cooking for a family the cheap cut and slow cooking is less costly for sure.
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daily use of my cooking - mr salarna  2013-10-28 11:46:30
I have a convential fan assisted oven my son cooks piecesof chicken I does it make a difference to using a halogen oven which is cheaper many thanks
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energy rating - moira  2013-10-14 10:43:23
why aren't gas ovens energy rated?
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Gas Vs Electric prices - Dr M S Iyer  2013-04-21 11:44:00
I wonder whether the author of this article took into his calculations the fact that a gas hob is only 38% efficient as a lot of heat is dissipated into the surrounding - one can actually see the flames jutting out of the bottom of the pan - whereas an induction hob is >90% efficient?? Induction hob is even more economical if you have Solar PV panels. I have a 3.84Kwh system and I managed to lock into the highest tariff. We got a set of pans free when we bought our Siemens induction hob & we do most of our curry cooking during day time. We have not missed our old gas hob even once since we changed over to Siemens induction hob.
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fan assisted ovens - fiona dudley  2012-10-17 16:24:44
Hi there, Just wondered if, when I have a choice it is better to use my conventional but smaller top oven, or my fan-assisted but larger bottom oven? Thank you Fiona
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gas v electric prices - peter nash  2010-10-07 19:20:24
reading the tables regarding yearly costs of both ovens I wonder about one fact. It appears that gas is cheaper to run however eneryg companys charge the unit price for electric yet gas is recalcluated eg 1 unit of electric is 9p so three units to cook a meal comes to 27p. Gas lets say uses just 2 units this charged at 32kwh costing around £1.28p is the chargeable amount. In power company terms electric appears dearer in unit than gas but gas at a lower unit price gets converted making this higher than first thought
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