Being single and living in an apartment can sure change your perspective about appliances. At first it was because I am only cooking for 1, but doing some simple research showed that it can help reduce my utility costs. And now I'm going to share my findings with you.
A lot of my entries have been about cooking and that I typically use a crock pot or the toaster oven instead of the full stove/oven. Part of the reason I started using them was because it kept my apartment cooler during the summer months, and by not using the stove meant my air conditioner would run less. But in doing some more research, I found the information on the Consumer Energy Center site. This confirmed to me that even the cost of cooking was reduced by using a crock pot or toaster oven, but also contributed to my air conditioner running less, so even more savings were achieved. I occasionally use a microwave oven (thank you Elektra Q-Tion for giving it to me). Unfortunately, my apartment doesn't have a gas stove/oven, it is electric. I wish I had my old gas stove still.
So, my point is that you should consider using the crock pot and toaster oven more during the summer to keep your place cooler, use less energy, and save yourself a little bit each time you do. Add up the cents you saved, and that means you can stop at Dunkin Donuts for a cup of coffee... saving cents makes sense, IMHO.
A lot of my entries have been about cooking and that I typically use a crock pot or the toaster oven instead of the full stove/oven. Part of the reason I started using them was because it kept my apartment cooler during the summer months, and by not using the stove meant my air conditioner would run less. But in doing some more research, I found the information on the Consumer Energy Center site. This confirmed to me that even the cost of cooking was reduced by using a crock pot or toaster oven, but also contributed to my air conditioner running less, so even more savings were achieved. I occasionally use a microwave oven (thank you Elektra Q-Tion for giving it to me). Unfortunately, my apartment doesn't have a gas stove/oven, it is electric. I wish I had my old gas stove still.
Cost of Cooking
This table from the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings compares the
cost of cooking a casserole in several ways. It assumes the cost of gas
is $.60 a therm, and electricity is $.08 a kWh.
| Appliance | Temperature | Time | Energy | Cost |
| Electric Oven | 350 | 1 hour | 2.0 kWh | $.16 |
| Electric Convection Oven | 325 | 45 minutes | 1.39 kWh | $.11 |
| Gas Oven | 350 | 1 hour | .112 therm | $.07 |
| Electric Frying Pan | 420 | 1 hour | .9 kWh | $.07 |
| Toaster Oven | 425 | 50 minutes | .95 kWh | $.08 |
| Electric Crockpot | 200 | 7 hour | .7 kWh | $.06 |
| Microwave Oven | "High" | 15 minutes | .36 kWh | $.03 |
So, my point is that you should consider using the crock pot and toaster oven more during the summer to keep your place cooler, use less energy, and save yourself a little bit each time you do. Add up the cents you saved, and that means you can stop at Dunkin Donuts for a cup of coffee... saving cents makes sense, IMHO.
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