Commercial Ovens for Businesses and Operators

Commercial convection ovens are the most widely used appliances in the foodservice industry. These are the workhorses of the commercial kitchen, with a wide variety of uses from baking and roasting to warming and reheating. In addition to traditional uses, convection ovens are used for nearly all types of food preparation, including foods typically prepared using other types of appliances (e.g., griddles, fryers, etc.). Commercial ovens that have earned the ENERGY STAR are about 20 percent more energy efficient than standard models.

Electric - both full- and half-size, and gas convection ovens can earn the ENERGY STAR by meeting minimum cooking energy efficiency, as well as a maximum idle energy rates. Cooking energy efficiency represents the amount of energy absorbed by the food product compared to the total energy used by the oven during the cooking process. The idle energy rate represents the energy used by the oven while it is maintaining or holding at a stabilized operating condition or temperature.

Standard gas convection ovens have a 30 percent cooking energy efficiency and an idle energy rate of 18,000 Btu/h, whereas ENERGY STAR qualified gas convection ovens must meet the specification requirements of 44 percent cooking energy efficiency and idle energy rate of 13,000 Btu/h. Standard electric convection ovens have a 65 percent cooking energy efficiency and an idle energy rate of 2 kW; whereas ENERGY STAR qualified electric convection ovens must meet the specification requirements of 70 percent cooking energy efficiency and an idle energy rate of 1.6 kW.

Ovens designed for residential and laboratory applications are not eligible.

Related Information

• ENERGY STAR Guide for Restaurants (1.1MB)
• Equipment Savings Fact Sheet (1.17MB)
• Austin Public Schools Case Study (884KB)
• Saratoga Restaurant Equipment Sales Case Study (203KB)
• Kessenich’s Ltd. Case Study (192KB)

• Covers convection gas and electric ovens. Must meet maximum idle energy rates and minimum cooking energy efficiency.
• ENERGY STAR qualified gas convection ovens must meet the specification requirements of 44 percent cooking energy efficiency and idle energy rate of 13,000 Btu/h.
• ENERGY STAR qualified electric convection ovens must meet the specification requirements of 70 percent cooking energy efficiency and an idle energy rate of 1.6 kW.

Commercial Oven Key Product Criteria: ENERGY STAR

Learn How a Product Earns the Label

What else should I look for when buying a commercial oven?

For a list of ENERGY STAR partners that sell ENERGY STAR qualified equipment, see Where to Buy.

For a list of CFS incentives, please see either the 2011 CFS Incentive Guide or the ENERGY STAR CFS Incentive Finder.

The ENERGY STAR CFS Incentive Finder displays utility incentives for ENERGY STAR qualified commercial food service equipment.

The 2011 CFS Incentive Guide is an excel spreadsheet that includes incentives for both ENERGY STAR qualified equipment and energy efficient equipment not covered by the ENERGY STAR program.

These are the top FAQs related to Commercial Ovens and the ENERGY STAR program.