Evaluation of Kitchen Cooking Appliance Efficiency Test Procedures

Published

January 1, 1999

Author(s)

Steven J. Nabinger

Abstract

In 1978, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a Final Rule containing test procedures for measuring the efficiency and energy consumption of conventional ranges, ovens, cooking tops, and microwave ovens. Based on a number of technical concerns, including a request from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) to adopt the International Electrotechnical Commission's Standard 705 and Amendment 2 as the test method for testing microwave ovens, DOE initiated a revision of the standard in 1993. These efforts resulted in a Proposed Rule that was released for public comment in March of 1995. In support of the revision process, NIST performed energy efficiency and energy consumption measurements consistent with the Proposed Rule on five household kitchen cooking appliances. The specific appliances tested included an electric oven, a gas oven, an electric cooking top, a gas cooking top, and a microwave oven. A series of tests was performed on each appliance to evaluate the feasibility of implementing the test methods within the Proposed Rule and the accuracy of the results. NIST experienced no significant problems complying with or implementing any of the test procedures. The test results for the ovens and cooking tops were repeatable with good accuracy, while the accuracy and repeatability of the microwave oven tests were dependent on the measurement equipment and details of the test method. This report contains a discussion of the procedures and a summary of the test results.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6181

Report Number

6181

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

building technology, cooking appliances, cooking tops, energy consumption, energy efficiency, kitchen appliances, microwave ovens, ovens, ranges

Citation

Nabinger, S. (1999), Evaluation of Kitchen Cooking Appliance Efficiency Test Procedures, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=860760 (Accessed April 23, 2024)