Evaluation of Kitchen Cooking Appliance Efficiency Test Procedures.
Evaluation of Kitchen Cooking Appliance Efficiency Test
Procedures.
(7936 K)
Nabinger, S. J.
NISTIR 6181; 100 p. January 1999.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900.
Website: http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB99-130817
Keywords:
kitchens; cooking appliances; cooking tops; energy
consumption; energy efficiency; kitchen appliances;
microwave ovens; ovens; ranges; test procedures; tests
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
Commissions 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.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899