Ovens are used for baking, roasting, and broiling in most homes. Ovens can be standalone units, such as wall ovens, or combined with a stovetop in a single appliance called a range. Regardless of whether it’s a standalone oven or part of a range, the type of oven and how it’s used affect how much energy is used for cooking and how much heat is added to the kitchen.
Ovens are powered by natural gas, propane, or electricity. Each type heats the oven in a different way, which affects its efficiency, cooking performance, and impact on indoor air.
Natural gas and propane ovens burn fuel to heat the inside of the oven. Like natural gas and propane stovetops, these ovens release combustion pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, into the kitchen while they are in use.
Electric ovens use heating elements, usually at the top and bottom of the oven, to heat the air inside. They don’t burn fuel, so they don’t release combustion pollutants into the home.
Convection ovens use a fan to circulate hot air around the food. Because moving air transfers heat more effectively, convection ovens can cook food faster and at a lower temperature than standard ovens. Many electric ovens and ranges now include a convection setting.
Some ovens combine more than one cooking method in a single unit, such as a convection oven with a microwave or air fry function. These can cook food more quickly than a standard oven and are available as both full-size and countertop models.
Self-cleaning ovens heat to very high temperatures to burn off food residue. The cleaning cycle uses a large amount of energy, but self-cleaning ovens also tend to have extra insulation, which helps them hold heat better during everyday cooking.
When it’s time to replace an oven or range, upgrading to an electric oven with a convection setting can reduce cooking time and energy use while keeping combustion pollutants out of the home.
A convection setting is one of the most useful features for saving energy, since it allows food to cook faster at a lower temperature. Other helpful features include a large oven window and interior light, which make it easy to check on food without opening the door.
A full-size oven heats a large space, even when cooking a small amount of food. For households that often cook small meals, a countertop convection or combination oven can handle many everyday tasks while heating a much smaller space.
Small daily habits can help ovens cook more efficiently.
Every time the oven door opens, hot air escapes and the oven has to work to reheat. Using the oven light and window to check on food helps keep the heat inside.
Many dishes, such as casseroles and roasted vegetables, don’t need a fully preheated oven. Preheating only for foods that need it, like baked goods, and putting food in as soon as the oven is ready can help reduce energy use.
Cooking several dishes at the same time, or cooking larger batches and saving portions for later meals, makes the most of the energy used to heat the oven. Turning the oven off a few minutes before food is done also lets the leftover heat finish the cooking.
Turning on the range hood while the oven is in use helps remove smoke, moisture, and pollutants from the kitchen, especially with natural gas and propane ovens.
Regular maintenance can help an oven work efficiently: