The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides acquisition guidance for commercial ovens, a product category covered by ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements. Federal laws and requirements mandate that agencies purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified products or FEMP-designated products in all product categories covered by these programs and in any acquisition actions that are not specifically exempted by law.
FEMP's acquisition guidance and associated ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements apply to the following commercial, food-grade ovens:
- Half- and full-size electric convection ovens
- Full-size gas convection ovens
- Half- and full-size electric combination ovens with capacities of 5 to 20 pans
- Half- and full-size gas combination ovens with capacities of 6 pans or more
- Single- and double-rack gas ovens.
Residential, laboratory, and all other commercial-grade ovens are excluded.
Due to their versatility, ovens are one of the most commonly used types of cooking equipment in commercial food service operations. In the federal sector, locations where they are used include military installations, Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, and penitentiaries.
This acquisition guidance was updated in November 2023.
Find Product Efficiency Requirements
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides commercial oven efficiency levels and product specification information on its ENERGY STAR website. Manufacturers meeting these requirements are allowed to display the ENERGY STAR label on complying models. Get a list of ENERGY STAR-qualified commercial ovens.
Electric Convection Ovens
For a half-size electric convection oven, the required ENERGY STAR-qualified model saves money if priced no more than $70 above the less efficient model. The best available model saves up to $531. Table 1 compares three types of product purchases and calculates the lifetime cost savings of purchasing efficient models. Federal purchasers can assume products that meet ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements are life cycle cost-effective.
| Table 1. Lifetime Savings for Efficient Half-Size Electric Convection Oven Models | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Best Available | ENERGY STAR | Less Efficient |
| Cooking Energy Efficiency | 77% | 71% | 68% |
| Idle Energy Rate | 0.75 kW | 1.00 kW | 1.03 kW |
| Annual Energy Use | 2,505 kWh | 3,038 kWh | 3,119 kWh |
| Annual Energy Cost | $248 | $301 | $309 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost (12 years) | $2,166 | $2,628 | $2,697 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | $531 | $70 | ====== |
Performance Column
Cooking Energy Efficiency: Represents the amount of energy absorbed by the food compared to the total energy used by the oven during the cooking process.
Idle Energy Rate: A measure of the energy used by the oven while it is maintaining or holding at a stabilized operating condition or temperature.
Annual Energy Use: Calculated using ASTM F-1496-13 and includes preheat, active, and idle energy used to cook 50 pounds of food per day; assumes a half-size, electric convection oven used for an average of 8 hours per day, 250 days per year, which is typical for cafeterias in federal facilities that serve two meals per day.
Annual Energy Cost: Calculated based on an assumed electricity price of $0.099/kWh, which is the average electricity price at federal facilities throughout the United States.
Lifetime Energy Cost: Future electricity price trends and a 3% discount rate are from Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis–2023: Annual Supplement to NIST Handbook 135 (NISTIR 85-3273-38).
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: The difference between the lifetime energy cost of the less efficient model and the lifetime energy cost of the ENERGY STAR model or best available model.
Best Available Model Column
Calculated based on the November 2023 ENERGY STAR List of Qualified Products; values shown are rounded to the nearest dollar. More efficient models may be introduced to the market after FEMP's acquisition guidance is posted.
ENERGY STAR Model Column
Calculated based on current ENERGY STAR efficiency levels; values shown are rounded to the nearest dollar. Federal agencies must purchase products that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR efficiency levels.
Less Efficient Model Column
Calculated based on ENERGY STAR’s assumption for "Conventional Models."
Gas Convection Ovens
For a full-size gas convection oven, the required ENERGY STAR-qualified model saves money if priced no more than $896 above the less efficient model. The best available model saves up to $2,098. Table 2 compares three types of product purchases and calculates the lifetime cost savings of purchasing efficient models. Federal purchasers can assume products that meet ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements are life cycle cost-effective.
| Table 2. Lifetime Savings for Efficient Full-Size Gas Convection Oven Models | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Best Available | ENERGY STAR | Less Efficient |
| Cooking Energy Efficiency | 54% | 46% | 44% |
| Idle Energy Rate | 8,194 Btu/h | 12,000 Btu/h | 15,100 Btu/h |
| Annual Energy Use | 476 therm | 651 therm | 781 therm |
| Annual Energy Cost | $404 | $552 | $663 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost (12 years) | $3,276 | $4,478 | $5,374 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | $2,098 | $896 | ====== |
Performance Column
Cooking Energy Efficiency: Represents the amount of energy absorbed by the food compared to the total energy used by the oven during the cooking process.
Idle Energy Rate: A measure of the energy used by the oven while it is maintaining or holding at a stabilized operating condition or temperature.
Annual Energy Use: Calculated using ASTM F-1496-13 and includes preheat, active, and idle energy used to cook 85 pounds of food per day; assumes a full-size, gas convection oven used an average of 12 hours per day, 365 days per year, which is typical for kitchens in VA Medical Centers that serve three meals per day.
Annual Energy Cost: Calculated based on an assumed natural gas price of $0.85/therm, which is the average natural gas price at federal facilities throughout the United States.
Lifetime Energy Cost: Future natural gas price trends and a 3% discount rate are from Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis–2023: Annual Supplement to NIST Handbook 135 (NISTIR 85-3273-38).
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: The difference between the lifetime energy cost of the less efficient model and the lifetime energy cost of the ENERGY STAR model or best available model.
Best Available Model Column
Calculated based on the November 2023 ENERGY STAR List of Qualified Products; values shown are rounded to the nearest dollar. More efficient models may be introduced to the market after FEMP's acquisition guidance is posted.
ENERGY STAR Model Column
Calculated based on current ENERGY STAR efficiency levels; values shown are rounded to the nearest dollar. Federal agencies must purchase products that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR efficiency levels.
Less Efficient Model Column
Calculated based on ENERGY STAR’s assumption for "Conventional Models."
Determine When ENERGY STAR Products Are Cost-Effective
An efficient product is cost-effective when the lifetime energy savings (from avoided energy costs over the life of the product, discounted to present value) exceed the additional up-front cost (if any) compared to a less efficient option. ENERGY STAR considers up-front costs and lifetime energy savings when setting required efficiency levels. Federal purchasers can assume ENERGY STAR-qualified products and products that meet FEMP-designated efficiency requirements are life cycle cost-effective. In high-use applications or when energy rates are above the federal average, purchasers may save more if they specify products that exceed federal efficiency requirements (e.g., the best available model).
Contact ENERGY STAR for more information about annual and lifetime cost savings available from ENERGY STAR-certified products.
Purchasing Requirements
Federal laws and requirements mandate that agencies purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified products or FEMP-designated products in all product categories covered by these programs and in any acquisition actions that are not specifically exempted by law.
These mandatory requirements apply to all forms of procurement, including construction guide and project specifications; renovation, repair, energy service, and operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts; lease agreements; acquisitions made using purchase cards; and solicitations for offers.
FAR Contract Language
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 23.206 requires agencies to insert the clause at FAR section 52.223-15 into contracts and solicitations that deliver, acquire, furnish, or specify energy-consuming products for use in federal government facilities.
To comply with FAR requirements, FEMP recommends that agencies incorporate efficiency requirements into technical specifications, the evaluation criteria of solicitations, and the evaluations of solicitation responses.
Products meeting ENERGY STAR or FEMP-designated efficiency requirements may not be life cycle cost-effective in certain low-use applications or in locations with very low rates for electricity or natural gas. However, for most applications, purchasers will find that energy-efficient products have the lowest life cycle cost.
Agencies may claim an exception to federal purchasing requirements through a written finding that no FEMP-designated or ENERGY STAR-qualified product is available to meet functional requirements, or that no such product is life cycle cost-effective for the specific application. Learn more about federal product purchasing requirements.
Federal Supply Sources and Product Codes
The federal supply sources for energy-efficient products are the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide programs that help federal agencies buy products with positive environmental attributes.
Identification codes for product categories covered by sustainable acquisition requirements are provided by DLA and the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC).
Under the Multiple Award Schedule program, GSA issues long-term governmentwide contracts that provide access to commercial products, services, and solutions at pre-negotiated pricing.
TAKE ACTION
- Review the Multiple Award Schedule program.
- Visit the GSA Advantage! online shopping network.
- Learn about efficient, healthy buildings and environmentally responsible purchasing from the Sustainable Facilities (SF) Tool.
- Review the Multiple Award Schedule program.
DLA offers products through the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and online through FedMall (formerly DOD EMALL).
TAKE ACTION
- Visit FedMall.
Products sold through DLA are codified with a 13-digit National Stock Number (NSN) and, in some cases, a two-letter Environmental Attribute Code (ENAC). The ENAC identifies items that have positive environmental characteristics and meet standards set by an approved third party, such as FEMP and ENERGY STAR.
USDA's BioPreferred Program was created to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. Federal law, the FAR, and Presidential Executive Orders direct that all federal agencies and their contractors purchase biobased products in categories identified by USDA.
TAKE ACTION
EPA offers several resources for choosing which products to buy. The Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program helps federal government purchasers utilize private sector standards and ecolabels to identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services.
TAKE ACTION
- Learn more about the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program.
- Review federal purchasing specifications, standards, and ecolabels.
- Get an overview of the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) and procuring environmentally preferable electronic products.
- Learn more about the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program.
UNSPSC is a worldwide classification system for e-commerce. It contains more than 50,000 commodities, including many used in the federal sector, each with a unique eight-digit, four-level identification code. Manufacturers and vendors are beginning to adopt the UNSPSC classification convention and electronic procurement systems are beginning to include UNSPSC tracking in their software packages. UNSPSCs can help the federal acquisition community identify product categories covered by sustainable acquisition requirements, track purchases of products within those categories, and report on progress toward meeting sustainable acquisition goals.
TAKE ACTION
- Review FEMP's table of product codes for ENERGY STAR and FEMP-designated covered product categories.
Commercial Oven Schedules and Product Codes
GSA offers commercial ovens through the Multiple Award Schedule Food Service Equipment 336999.
The UNSPSC for commercial ovens is 48101517.
Buyer Tips: Make Informed Product Purchases
When buying commercial ovens, specify or select products with capacities matched to their production requirements. Oversized products will increase initial cost and lead to higher operating expenses due to additional energy losses.
Features to look for when buying energy-efficient commercial ovens include forced-convection, infrared burners (in gas models), quartz-halogen cooking elements (in electric models), added insulation, improved gaskets, and advanced controls. In addition to saving energy, these features also increase production capacity, cook food products more uniformly, and improve kitchen comfort (due to less heat loss into the surrounding space).
Many states and electric utilities offer rebates or other incentives for the purchase of ENERGY STAR-qualified products. Use the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder to see if your local utility offers these incentives. FEMP’s Energy Incentive Program helps federal agencies take advantage of these incentives by providing information about the funding-program opportunities available in each state.
User Tips: Use Products More Efficiently
Energy consumption in commercial ovens can be broken down into three components: preheat, cooking (including restore), and idle. Of these, idle energy (energy consumed when the oven is turned on and at the set-point temperature without a food load) does not contribute to cooking production or food quality and should be minimized.
Due to improved insulation and door gaskets, efficient ovens preheat more quickly than conventional models. For ovens with extended periods between cooking loads, it may save energy to turn them off during idle periods and then back on when needed. Understanding how ovens operate (e.g., how long to preheat) and how they are used in food service operations (e.g., time between food loads) allows for the implementation of start-up/shut-down schedules that minimize idle energy use.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided supporting analysis for this acquisition guidance.