I have a general question about the comparative energy efficiency of a common electric stove heating element and a common electric refrigerator. Let’s presume that they are both about 5 years old. Let’s also presume that we are starting with an empty refrigerator that has been on for enough time so that it’s temperature is stabilized at a medium setting. Let’s also presume that I use the electric heating element as efficiently as possible, that is, by using a covered pan and by leaving the pan of water on the element until the residual heat in the element and temperature of the pan equalize. So then, let
s say I start with a pan of water of a given temperature, say 55 degrees Far. I heat that water on the stove and then place it in the refrigerator until it has returned to 55 degrees. I want to know which appliance will probably consume more energy, and by approximately how much.
There suspect that there must be specific energy efficiency data available to answer such a question but I wouldn’t know how to read and interpret the BTU’s and Watts over time numbers.