2017-05-29 17:48:38Boiling water is something that many Australians do at least once a day, especially those of us whom enjoy such luxuries as hot chocolate, tea, coffee, cooked vegetables, boiled eggs, soup or pasta. So what are some ways that people can reduce their energy consumption when performing these sometimes daily routines? The most energy and cost efficient way of boiling water can vary depending on the quantity of water needed to be boiled, the efficiency of individual kettles, the type of energy (electricity or gas) and price variations.
Electric kettles are faster and more efficient at boiling water than a pot on a traditional gas stove tops. This is because the heating element is enclosed in the water within the kettle which enables the water to be heated directly.
Power plants that convert coal into electricity, like here in Australia, are less efficient and more polluting than those that convert natural gas into electricity.
Another option for those with natural gas is to use a stove top kettle. Using natural gas to heat water in a kettle is also a good energy efficient option.
Natural gas versus coal-powered electricity
When using coal fired electricity, only approximately 1/3 of the original calorific value of the fuel is used. This is due to the energy loss of converting fuel to electricity and transporting it to homes. Using natural gas consumes 70-80% of the original calorific value of the fuel as it eliminates the need for fuel conversion. Bearing this in mind; gas kettles could be considered to be an overall more efficient way of using energy and can save carbon emissions.
In Australia, heating water using gas is at least 3 times more efficient and produces as much as 5 times less carbon emissions than using electric means.
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