One question that is often asked is whether gas or electric ovens are cheaper and the answer has two parts to it. One is the initial cost of the oven itself and the other is the running cost of the oven over its lifetime. It makes no sense only to look at the purchase price as you have to take into consideration the bills you will be paying every month. It is because of this that we never recommend simply buying the cheapest model you can find - you may pay less upfront but you could end up shelling out more cash over time.
The difference in cost between gas and electric ovens
Overall, gas ovens are cheaper than electric models, largely because the cost of electricity is so much more expensive than gas.
Oven purchase and installation prices
Gas ovens tend to be pricier than electric ovens to buy and, if you are not already connected to a gas line, you will have to pay to be hooked up. Plus, whereas electric ovens can be fitted by the purchaser, it is wise to pay for a qualified engineer to install your gas oven to ensure it is connected safely. However, some states offer a government rebate to those installing gas appliances in an existing property which will immediately recover some of the costs.
Running costs
Both gas and electric ovens are thermostatically controlled, meaning that they power down to conserve energy once the desired temperatures are reached and continue this cycle throughout the cooking process.
The difference therefore lies in the cost of the power source heating the ovens. A gas oven with a typical energy rating at 10MJ has an estimated cost of just $0.44 to run per hours.*
Even though gas and electric ovens use roughly the same amount of energy per year, the higher price of electricity makes electric ovens costlier to run. On average, electric ovens can cost up to five times more to run per year than gas ovens.
It may also be possible that electricity prices will continue to rise at a higher rate than gas prices because of green taxes on electricity. Add to that the fact that gas ovens don’t need as much fuel to operate and you’ve got a clear winner.
Electric ovens also tend to need more frequent maintenance, and parts may need to be repaired or replaced more often than with gas ovens, all of which adds to the running costs. The coils tend to suffer from wear over time and power outages can damage parts. Because of this, gas ovens also tend to have a longer life span than electric models so they are a better investment.
Overall, therefore, gas ovens are cheaper than electric models, largely because the cost of electricity is so much more expensive than gas.
* Estimated cost only - actual cost may differ. It's recommended to calculate costs based on your unique usage patterns and appliances. Additional factors that may influence your appliance's gas costs include its brand, model, energy efficiency, and settings.
