I try to do electrical reduction projects when I can. The last project a couple of year ago was swapping to a new toilet to reduce water usage. I didnt formally measure it but it looks like it did appear to reduce electrical usage due to much less water usage (the trade off is the need for occasional double flushes and more frequent cleaning). The latest project is a single element induction cooktop. My motley collection of cookwear is mostly induction friendly (it only works on cookware that a magnet will stick to) so I just pulled the knobs off of two of my standard resistance burners on my cooktop and set the induction burner on top of my cooktop. If this works out I may just unplug the calrods. My stove is functional but not pretty and with little bit of metalwork I could cut out two calrod burners and replace them with one induction burner that sits relatively flush with the cooktop. The induction unit has fan to keep things cool and an overheat switch so I am unsure how it would like being recessed in a stove top. The burner senses the cookware diameter so a single induction burner can serve many of the purposes of different size resistance burners. I dont think I ever used more than 3 burners at one since I have owned a stove.
Induction burners are known to be the most efficient method of cooking outside of microwaving (which has distinct limitations). A single element device is a lot less expensive than a dedicated cooktop. I picked up a basic unit for $80. So far I am impressed, the cookware heats up far quicker than electric. The induction element is pulsed on and off so when simmering I can see some pulsing as the simmering varies a bit. it doesnt bother me but expect a fine cook may object. I basically boil, steam and fry basic food so it works for me. I will give it a try and maybe I can justify an entire induction cooktop if and when I buy a new range. Most of the focus with energy efficiency is to downplay fossil cooking, my guess is natural gas and propane will increase in cost with some sort of carbon taxes and efficient electric appliances will be encouraged as the grid goes green.
I expect big battery charging is in my future. My new Ebike will not get used a lot but expect a hybrid car will kill my surplus generation. Adding to my PV capacity is problematical as my existing arrays on my house are grandfathered from rapid shutdown rules and I really do not want to have to abandon functioning string inverters to add RSD capability. This may be academic if I build new house but I like to trial new technology when I can if its affordable.
Induction burners are known to be the most efficient method of cooking outside of microwaving (which has distinct limitations). A single element device is a lot less expensive than a dedicated cooktop. I picked up a basic unit for $80. So far I am impressed, the cookware heats up far quicker than electric. The induction element is pulsed on and off so when simmering I can see some pulsing as the simmering varies a bit. it doesnt bother me but expect a fine cook may object. I basically boil, steam and fry basic food so it works for me. I will give it a try and maybe I can justify an entire induction cooktop if and when I buy a new range. Most of the focus with energy efficiency is to downplay fossil cooking, my guess is natural gas and propane will increase in cost with some sort of carbon taxes and efficient electric appliances will be encouraged as the grid goes green.
I expect big battery charging is in my future. My new Ebike will not get used a lot but expect a hybrid car will kill my surplus generation. Adding to my PV capacity is problematical as my existing arrays on my house are grandfathered from rapid shutdown rules and I really do not want to have to abandon functioning string inverters to add RSD capability. This may be academic if I build new house but I like to trial new technology when I can if its affordable.
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