Energy Consumption of Major Household Appliances Shipped in Canada, Summary Report –
Trends for 1990–2009

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Chapter 4: Electric Ranges

4.1 Average annual unit energy consumption by model year

From 1990 to 2009, the average annual unit energy consumption (UEC) of shipped electric ranges decreased by 33 percent from 772 kWh/yr to 518 kWh/yr. Until 2002, little change in energy consumption occurred (see Table A.34 in Appendix A). Between 2002 and 2009, average annual UEC decreased from 756 to 518 kWh/yr, a drop of 31 percent. However, the improvement in energy consumption after 2002 does not entirely reflect an actual improvement in energy efficiency. In the 2003 amendment to the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), several important changes were made to the calculation for the energy ratings. These changes included a reduction in the frequency of use of the self-cleaning cycle, from 11 to 4 times per year. These changes had the effect of reducing the overall average annual UEC of self-cleaning ranges by about 35 to 50 kWh/yr, meaning that the data prior to 2003 are not directly comparable with data after.¹²

4.2 Distribution of shipments by type

Electric ranges are divided into two types: self-cleaning and non-self-cleaning. In 1990, self-cleaning ranges accounted for less than 23 percent of electric range shipments. However, by 2009, 68 percent of electric ranges were self-cleaning.

Self-cleaning ranges have typically been more energy efficient than non self-cleaning ranges because they tended to be better insulated. However, over time, non-self-cleaning ranges have become increasingly efficient, such that in 2009, they actually (on average) consumed less energy than self-cleaning ranges (see Figure 7).¹³

Figure 7 Average annual UEC of electric ranges by type, 1990–2009

4.3 Distribution of shipments by unit energy consumption

Figure 8 shows the distribution of electric ranges by average annual UEC between 1990 and 2009. In 1990, 82 percent of electric ranges consumed 750 kWh/yr or more. By 2009, 96 percent of shipped electric ranges consumed fewer than 600 kWh/yr. Some of this decrease, however, is due to changes in how UEC ratings are now calculated for electric ranges.

Figure 8 Distribution of electric ranges by average annual UEC, 1990–2009

For a regional breakdown of electric range shipments by type, average annual UEC per cubic foot and channel, please refer to Tables A.30, A.31, A.32 and A.34 in Appendix A.

¹² NRCan, EnerGuide Appliance Directory 2007, p. 155.

¹³ One of the reasons for the improved efficiency of non-self-cleaning ranges relative to self-cleaning ranges is most likely that the latter tend to have more energy-consuming options, such as baking drawers, true temperature systems that manage temperature, larger heating elements, bridge elements and warming zones.

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