Electric stove
How much electricity does an electric stove use?
1,000–3,000 W per burner · induction is 30% cheaper · $8–$25 per month
Electric cooking splits into two very different technologies that are often confused because they look the same.
Resistive (coil or glass-top)
Radiant elements heat the pan indirectly, and a large share of the heat escapes into the air. A 2,000 W burner running 30 minutes uses 1 kWh, of which perhaps 60–70% actually reaches the food.
Induction
An induction hob induces currents directly in the pan base, so almost no heat is lost to the air. Efficiency is around 85–90%. In practice induction uses 25–35% less energy than resistive for the same cooking, and it also heats and cools faster, which reduces total time.
Typical wattage
- Small radiant burner: 1,200 W
- Large radiant burner: 2,400–3,000 W
- Induction zone: 1,400–3,700 W (pulses, not continuous)
- Oven element: 2,000–4,000 W, cycling on thermostat
The oven is the bigger load
An hour of oven use is 1.5–3 kWh depending on size and preheat — usually more than a whole evening of hob cooking. Avoiding preheat for anything over 30 minutes, and not opening the door to peek, both reduce the total materially.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a electric stove use?
1,000–3,000 W per burner. The figure on the rating label is the maximum draw; actual use varies with settings, age and usage pattern.
How much does it cost to run a electric stove per month?
With the defaults above it comes to the monthly figure shown in the calculator. At 16.5¢/kWh — the US residential average — that is a realistic middle estimate. Your own bill may be 30% lower or higher depending on state.
Is it cheaper to run a electric stove at night?
Only if your utility offers a time-of-use plan and you avoid the 4pm–9pm peak window. On a flat-rate plan, the time of day makes no difference to the total.
Does the calculator account for real-world duty cycles?
Not automatically — you enter the effective hours yourself. For compressing appliances like refrigerators and AC units, enter the running watts and roughly the proportion of time the compressor is on, which is usually 30–50%.
Will a newer electric stove actually save money?
Compare the kWh figure in the calculator against an Energy Star model's stated annual use. If the difference is a few hundred kWh a year, the payback on a replacement is usually long; if it is over 500 kWh, it is worth pricing out.