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UK Households Face Rising Oven Running Costs Amid Energy Bill Hikes
While modern kitchen trends often highlight air fryers and slow cookers, traditional ovens remain a staple appliance in virtually every UK household. Despite the emergence of newer cooking gadgets, many still rely on conventional ovens for preparing larger meals. Although ovens generally consume more energy than air fryers, their capacity to cook multiple dishes simultaneously can make them a cost-effective option in certain situations. However, with energy prices surging, the expense of operating an oven, already considered one of the more costly home appliances, is set to increase further from today, April 1.
Surge in Energy Bills Drives Up Appliance Running Costs
April marks the fourth consecutive rise in energy bills, impacting the operational costs of all household appliances unless consumers can secure cheaper energy tariffs. Electricity prices have escalated from a previous average of 24.86 pence per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 27.03 pence per kWh effective April 1. This increase follows Ofgem’s announcement of a 6.4% average price hike for gas and electricity, equating to an additional £111 annually. Consumers on standard variable tariffs, who are not on fixed-rate contracts, will experience these elevated prices immediately unless they secure a fixed deal.
Impact on Oven Energy Consumption
Under the previous pricing structure, using a typical 2kWh electric oven for one hour incurred a cost of 50 pence. Daily usage at this rate would contribute approximately £181.48 to an annual energy bill.
With the implementation of April 1 prices, the identical hourly use of a 2kWh electric oven will now cost 54 pence. This translates to an estimated annual increase of £197.32 on electricity bills for those on standard variable tariffs, if used daily.
This price adjustment results in a monthly expenditure of £16.44 for daily electric oven operation, based on the current price cap averages spread across the year.
Exploring Cost-Effective Cooking Alternatives
Energy experts suggest exploring alternative cooking methods to mitigate oven usage and reduce energy consumption. Appliances such as microwaves and slow cookers offer more economical options for certain cooking tasks.
Microwave vs. Oven
A comparative analysis reveals that:
- Microwave Efficiency: An 800W microwave can cook a jacket potato in just 10 minutes for approximately 3.3 pence.
- Oven Inefficiency: In contrast, a 2,000W oven requires 60 minutes for the same task, costing around 49 pence.
Slow Cooker vs. Oven
Similarly, slow cookers present a more energy-efficient solution for dishes like casseroles:
- Slow Cooker Economy: A 100W slow cooker can prepare a casserole over eight hours at a cost of about 20 pence.
- Oven Expense: Cooking the same casserole in a 2,000W oven for two hours amounts to roughly 98 pence.
Oven Advantages: Bulk Cooking
Despite the higher running costs, ovens retain an advantage in their capacity for bulk cooking. They allow for simultaneous preparation of multiple dishes, like a roast dinner with accompaniments, or large quantities of a single food item for batch cooking. This cooked food can then be frozen and conveniently reheated in a microwave later, potentially saving time and energy in the long run.
Securing Fixed Energy Deals to Reduce Bills
Currently, securing a fixed energy deal represents the most effective strategy for consumers to reduce their energy expenses. Fixed tariffs, potentially cheaper than the April price cap, remain available. These deals offer savings against the new increased prices and guarantee locked-in rates for the next year. However, the window to secure these advantageous fixed deals is rapidly closing as April approaches.