Ovens and Cooktops

Ovens

Oven options include an electric, gas, or dual fuel oven with an integral cooktop.  The electric models are usually a little less expensive and installing them does not require a gas line connection. 

Models with a self-cleaning feature are usually a little more energy efficient because they are better insulated. Although they use intense heat during cleaning, they also require less energy to cook your food. If you clean your oven only two or three times a year, you will likely save energy by buying a self-cleaning unit instead of an equivalent regular oven. 

Another option, the convection feature, cooks by circulating hot air about the food and uses only one-third as much energy to operate as conventional ovens. They produce further savings through reduced cooking times because the food is more evenly exposed to heat.

Cooktops

Two primary types of cooktops are ones integral to the kitchen range and ones that are independent units installed in a countertop and used in conjunction with built-in ovens. Cooktops can be gas or electric.

Some prefer gas cooktops saying it gives them better control over the cooking process. Others like the fact that when you turn it on or off it is immediate, unlike electric units there heat remains long after the energy is switched off. With gas, it is important to run the ventilation fan to remove the byproducts of combustion from the home along with the cooking vapors. 

When it comes to electric cooktops, there are several options to choose from. Some offer better cooking control, more efficient operation and a high-tech look to the kitchen. The following table lists the current options and some of their benefits: