How Much Does It Cost to Run an Electric Oven?
1 min read
Quick Answer
An electric oven costs $0.30-0.80 per hour to run, using 2,000-5,000 watts. Preheating costs $0.10-0.20. Baking for an hour at 350°F typically costs $0.35-0.50. Monthly cost varies widely based on cooking frequency.
Key Takeaways
- Electric ovens draw 2,000-5,000 watts depending on size and temperature.
- Gas ovens cost roughly half as much to operate as electric.
- Toaster ovens use 1/3 to 1/2 the energy for small items.
Explanation
Electric ovens draw 2,000-5,000 watts depending on size and temperature. However, they cycle on and off to maintain temperature, so actual consumption is lower than the rated wattage suggests.
At 350°F, an oven might use 2-2.5 kWh per hour of cooking (including maintaining temp after preheating). Higher temperatures like 450°F use 3-4 kWh per hour.
Convection ovens cook faster and more evenly, reducing both time and energy. Self-cleaning cycles use significant energy—one cycle equals 3-4 hours of normal baking.
Things to Know
- Gas ovens cost roughly half as much to operate as electric.
- Toaster ovens use 1/3 to 1/2 the energy for small items.
- Opening the oven door drops temperature 25-50°F, requiring extra energy to recover.