When replacing an old ceramic glass cooktop with an induction model, the first surprise comes not from the heating speed, but from the “cooking” line on the electricity bill. Induction cooktops have a nominal power of 2,000 to 3,000 W per zone. The actual electricity consumption of a household often exceeds the figures found in standardized data sheets. Understanding this discrepancy allows for better subscription sizing and anticipating the real daily cost.
Induction Cooktop Power and Electrical Subscription Sizing
We often talk about consumption in kWh, but the first practical issue is the instantaneous power demand. A four-zone cooktop can draw 7,200 W if all burners are running at full capacity at the same time. With an oven running and a water heater kicking in, it’s easy to exceed the capacity of a 6 kVA subscription.
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In practice, a 9 kVA subscription is sufficient for most kitchens equipped with standard induction. Households that combine induction, pyrolytic oven, and heat pump should aim for 12 kVA to avoid tripping. Before installing a cooktop, check the cross-section of the power supply cable (6 mm² minimum in general) and the rating of the dedicated circuit breaker.
Upgrading from 6 to 9 kVA increases the annual subscription cost, an expense many forget when comparing induction and gas. This fixed additional cost weighs more than a few kWh saved by faster heating, especially for small consumers. To know precisely how much an induction cooktop consumes under real conditions, one must cross-reference nominal power, usage time, and the current kWh rate.
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Actual Consumption in kWh: The Gap Between the ADEME Data Sheet and Your Kitchen
The reference found everywhere is that of ADEME, around 135 to 138 kWh per year, based on standardized cooking cycles and a panel of about twenty models. This figure corresponds to moderate use, far from the reality of a household that cooks morning and evening.
More recent data shows a much wider range. A standard household consumes between 150 and 400 kWh per year depending on the number of meals prepared. A family of four that cooks daily can reach 700 to 800 kWh per year on their induction cooktop.
Several parameters explain this gap:
- The number of burners used simultaneously: sautéing an onion on a single burner is not the same as cooking completely on three zones at once.
- The compatibility of utensils: a pot with a bottom that is not perfectly ferromagnetic or slightly warped reduces the efficiency of induction and lengthens cooking time.
- The use of a lid: covering pots can save up to 30% of energy, a simple gesture that is rarely applied for long cooking times.
The ADEME figure remains useful as a point of comparison between technologies, but it does not represent a reliable budget forecast for your kitchen.
Annual Cost of Induction Cooking at the 2026 Electricity Rate
Older articles calculate the cost with a kWh at less than 0.20 euros, which gives reassuring amounts of around thirty euros per year. The residential rate has significantly increased since then.
With a regulated base kWh price around 0.25 euros in 2026, the calculations change. For a realistic consumption of 540 kWh per year (daily use, household of two to three people), the annual cost of induction cooking reaches about 136 euros. For a family of four exceeding 700 kWh, the cost approaches 175 to 200 euros per year, excluding subscription.
This amount remains lower than what a ceramic glass or classic electric cooktop would cost for the same cooking volume, thanks to the superior efficiency of induction. The efficiency of an induction cooktop exceeds 80%, compared to about 55 to 60% for a radiant ceramic cooktop. In useful energy transmitted to the pot, induction wastes significantly less heat into the surrounding air.
Cost Comparison of Cooking by Cooktop Type
| Type of Cooktop | Estimated Efficiency | Indicative Annual Consumption |
|---|---|---|
| Induction | Over 80% | 150 to 400 kWh (regular use) |
| Ceramic Glass | 55 to 60% | Significantly higher at equivalent use |
| Electric Cast Iron | About 50% | The most energy-consuming of the three |
Concrete Actions to Reduce Your Induction Cooktop Consumption
Rather than a list of generic tips, here are three levers that have a measurable impact on the bill.
The first is the choice of burner size. Using a 28 cm burner for a small 16 cm pot wastes power. Matching the burner diameter to that of the utensil reduces the heating time and overall consumption.
The second concerns the “booster” function. Convenient for bringing water to a boil quickly, it pushes the burner to its maximum power (sometimes 3,700 W). Using it systematically to start every cooking session consumes much more than a gradual increase. It should be reserved for boiling pasta or stir-frying, not for reheating soup.
The third lever, often underestimated: standby. An induction cooktop that is turned off but plugged in consumes little, but models with a digital display or Wi-Fi connectivity maintain a residual consumption constantly. Over a year, a few watts in standby represent a marginal cost, but when combined with other devices, it adds up.
The efficiency of the induction cooktop remains its main asset compared to other electric cooking technologies. The price difference per kWh is partly offset by shorter cooking times and reduced thermal loss. For a household hesitating between induction and ceramic glass, the additional cost at purchase is generally recouped within a few years on the electricity bill, provided that the kVA subscription is not undersized from the start.