from Denise in Topeka KS:
#956
Are there any ENERGY STAR qualified residential electric ovens?
No, ovens cannot earn the ENERGY STAR.
Ovens are not energy efficient appliances, and there is currently no ENERGY STAR label for ovens, ranges, or microwave ovens at this time. (However, there are ENERGY STAR labeled commercial ovens.) When you turn an oven on, it has to heat all those pounds of steel plus the air in the oven before it even begins to heat the food. This means that there is a great deal of energy wasted before the oven starts doing its job. Currently, there is no way to make ovens energy efficient.
If you’re looking for ways to save energy when cooking, a microwave oven uses less overall energy (up to 80% less) for cooking than conventional ovens. In addition to saving energy, microwave ovens generally cook food much faster, and don’t generate as much heat in your kitchen, so you could save on air conditioning costs during the summer. However, microwaves aren’t appropriate for all cooking, for example, they can cook food unevenly and they can’t brown food. Microwaves are especially good for small portions and leftovers. A slow cooker is also a good way to cook or keep small amounts of food warm, as is a toaster oven.
Published Monday, December 20, 2010