When our old gas range quit working last year, we decided to upgrade to a new, energy efficient model. I knew that new ranges had many energy saving features, and I hoped the more efficient models on the market might save us money, too. What I didn’t expect was that cooking would be so much more fun with an energy efficient appliance. Here’s what I learned.
More space means more YUM!
My new energy efficient range, a Frigidaire Gallery model purchased at Lowe’s, has an oven capacity of 5.0 cubic feet; much larger than our old oven, but in the same exterior space. It has four oven racks, one which is adjustable to accommodate large items, like a turkey, on one side of the oven with stacked racks on the other side. This allows for much more simultaneous cooking. In fact, I’ve never been able to cook so much at one time without a double oven.
More power means faster cooking
Powered burners and a true convection oven help to concentrate the heat and speed up cooking time. My oven preheats to 350 degrees in less than five minutes, less than ¼ the time of my old oven. Burners of different sizes and powers allow me to better match the size of my pot to the size of my flame, which can save over 40% in lost heat. Water boils in my biggest stock pot in less than half the time it took before. This means not only am I using less energy, I am enjoying my delicious home cooked meals faster than ever before.
Improved insulation means less waste
I can tell just by standing in front of my new energy efficient range that there is less heat loss through its body. The door and sides of the oven are not as hot to the touch, so it uses less gas to maintain the same internal temperature. It is also not heating up my house as much in the summer, so I save money on home cooling costs and still enjoy baking all year round. That means more cookies for everyone!
If you are in the market for a new range, read up on all the energy saving features available today. You can find great options at many price ranges. With an energy efficient range, you may find that cooking is more fun for you, too!