Electric oven vs. electric stove burner: running cost
An electric oven is cheaper to run: about $45 a year versus $59 for an electric stove burner at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $14 difference.
| Electric oven | Electric stove burner | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 3,000 W | 1,500 W |
| Watt range | 2,000–5,000 W | 1,000–3,000 W |
| Typical use | 3 hour of bakings a week | 1 hour a day |
| Energy per year | 250 kWh | 329 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 29¢ | 16¢ |
| Cost per day | 12¢ | 16¢ |
| Cost per month | $3.75 | $4.93 |
| Cost per year | $45 | $59 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $109 | $143 |
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What drives the difference
- Electric oven: A standard 30-inch electric oven has a 2.5-3.5 kW bake element. One hour at 350°F, including about 15 minutes of preheat, uses roughly 1.5-2 kWh as the element cycles.
- Electric stove burner: Electric coil and radiant smooth-top burners are rated 1.2-3 kW and cycle at medium settings. A typical household uses burners about an hour a day across meals.
Ways to cut either cost
Heats a much smaller space with 1,200-1,800 W and needs little or no preheat, using roughly half the energy for small batches.
See options on AmazonCooks small portions in 15-20 minutes at about 1,500 W, often 50-70% less energy than a full oven.
See options on AmazonInduction transfers about 85% of its energy into the pan versus about 70% for radiant and coil burners.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, an electric oven or an electric stove burner?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an electric stove burner costs about $59 a year versus $45 for an electric oven. That's $14 more, or 1.3× as much.
How many watts do electric oven and electric stove burner use?
An electric oven typically draws 3,000 W (range 2,000–5,000 W). An electric stove burner draws 1,500 W (range 1,000–3,000 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.