2000W electric cookers use about 2 units (kWh) per hour if operated at full power for an entire hour.
Each unit of electricity costs between GHS0.44001825 and GHS1.630375775. Both are tax inclusive.
GHS0.44001825 is specifically for Residential accounts that need 30 units or fewer a month.
So, in a 30-day month, that's about 30 minutes of a 2000W electric stove at full power, without lighting and without phones being charged.
If 30.1 units are accidentally used, there will either be a bill of about +GHS23.55 or there will be a disconnection.
Starting from 30, the next 270 units are GHS0.9349431 each.
If not eligible for Lifeline (a discount), the first 30 units are then also GHS0.9349431 each. If the first 30 units were initially sold for GHS0.44001825 each, the new price is billed.
In addition to the cost of electricity itself, there is an additional monthly fee. The Residential monthly fee is GHS2.13 if eligible for a discount, else it is GHS10.730886. The Non-Residential (i.e. commercial) monthly fee is GHS14.603187875, tax inclusive, and there cannot be a discount.
So, 0.44001825 may be disregarded. Each unit of electricity costs between GHS0.9349431 and GHS1.630375775. Both are tax inclusive.
0.9349431 * 2 * 31 = GHS57.9664722. So, residential accounts that have between 30.1 and 238 units (GHS38 to GHS233 cedis) bought every month will about require about GHS58 more every month if a 2000W electric cooker is used at full power for 1 hour in a 31-day month.
1.630375775 * 2 * 31 = GHS101.08329805. So, non-residential accounts that have over 600 units bought every month will require about GHS102 more every month if a 2000W electric cooker is used at full power for 1 hour in a 31-day month.
GHS57.9664722–GHS101.08329805 per month.
Compare it with the price of gas (LPG), its price close to when this page was written is given near the top of this page. In addition to the price of gas itself, there's a need to go to a station. Which normally means there's also a need to spend fuel or to take dropping.
The cost of an electric stove may be GHS150+. However, this is cheaper than a gas stove, cylinder (subject to change), regulator, and hose, plus routine replacements.
A low voltage will slow down or stop electric stoves. The voltage is low if lights are dimmer and fans are slower than normal. If the voltage is low, then an expensive stabilizer may be required, the stabilizer required depends on how much power the electric stove uses. Electric stoves will overload 1000VA-2000VA stabilizers. Electricity consumption and heating can vary depending on the voltage.
If light off (a power outage) occurs, electric stoves will, of course, not work, but gas will continue to work. An electric stove may spoil if the electricity supplied to it is unreliable.
Electric stoves require less ventilation than gas and charcoal.
The price of electricity can be expected to change soon. There is to be a "Quarterly Tariff Adjustment", according to the regulator. The price of LPG gas can also be expected to change over time.
There are many types of electric stove.
There's the coil type. On each burner, there's a coil that simply gets hot. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to clean, and if the coil cracks, then there's a risk of electric shock.
There's the plate type, which is most likely the most common type of electric stove in Ghana. On each burner, there's a plate that gets hot. The stove works at full power. There's a knob that adjusts temperatures tolerated by a thermostat. When the thermostat gets hot enough, there's a distinct sound and the stove is automatically switched off until the thermostat gets cold enough, then it switches on at full power again. This continues until the knob is turned to the off position or the stove is otherwise switched off or unplugged.
There are infrared/ceramic cookers and induction cookers.
Infrared/ceramic cookers and induction cookers are uncommon in Ghana.
These have a glass surface, that, unfortunately, may be cracked, or may be scratched by certain types of pans. Glass may crack without something falling onto it, harsh temperature changes may crack it. But with a glass surface, the risk of electric shock is minimal.
These have a fan that cool the electronics inside. If a power outage occurs while cooking and the pan is not removed, the cooker might be cooked because the fan isn't cooling it.
Infrared cookers use infrared to cook. The glass surface may get hot too.
Induction cookers use magnets to heat the pan. The pan must be magnetic, else an induction cooker simply won't work. By only using magnets, the time it takes from water being at room temperature to boiling is similar to the time required by gas stoves and electric kettles (electric kettles are good at heating water). If the induction cooker is basic, then a low temperature setting causes it to cycle between full power and switched off. Because the delay of an induction cooker is low, such a cycle may negatively impact frying. Basic infrared cookers can sustain low temperatures.
