Read this before Converting your Aga Cooker
We've seen a massive uptake in Electric Conversions over the past few years. To help you have realistic expectations of what to expect post-conversion, we've put together this guide.
If you've decided to convert your Aga Cooker to the Controllable ElectricKit System, you're probably wondering how your beloved cooker will perform or how it will work after the conversion is complete.
We've always listed the pros and cons of each model we sell, along with each conversion option. You can find these on each model/conversion page on the website. Hopefully, our honest approach to selling helps set expectations and give you an idea of whats being done, how it's done and how it'll work - which in turn increases customer satisfaction!
The main reason Aga Range Cooker owners are choosing to convert, is to avoid high running costs. Both of our controllable conversions offer reduced running costs, by allowing you to turn ovens and hotplates off/reduced their temperature when not in use.
They are not designed to kick out lots of ambient heat. The ElectricKit System has low running costs due to the insulation used and additional flexibility. The cast iron ovens are tightly wrapped in high-density bio-soluble ceramic fibre blanket. This has much better insulating properties than the standard vermiculite usually used in traditional Aga cookers. Preventing lots of escaped heat, means the heat will stay inside the ovens for longer, and reduce the amount of times the elements need to draw power from your supply.
Heat into the room, is heat you're paying for. In essence, using any Aga cooker to heat your house is VERY inefficient compared to modern central heating systems. The ambient warmth is a by-product of the cast iron ovens and hotplates but there is no such thing as free heat. If you're looking to convert your Aga cooker, but also want lots of ambient heat into the room - some compromise will be needed. You can turn the ovens to full temperature and hotplates on slumber, and have radiant heat into your room, but you'll notice the running costs will rise. Alternatively, if you want the cheapest running costs possible, reducing the radiant heat will help significantly.
The most efficient way of using your cooker, is to utilise the ovens as much as possible. We've found that keeping one oven on 24/7 if you're using them more than 2 or 3 times a day is most efficient. It saves you switching on and off and heating from cold each time. Turning the hotplates off when not in use is also efficient as you'll lose most of the heat once the lids are opened, therefore the element will kick in sooner. Turning the Aga Range Cooker off overnight and utilising an automatic timer will also prove to be beneficial when it comes to your energy bills! It's also worth checking with your supplier for your tariff prices and shop around if possible.
Pre-installation requirements are key. With every order of a controllable cooker/conversion, we send out our detailed pre-installation requirements which include electrical information for your electrician. You'll also get our own user guide with detailed information about each conversion. Please read these throughly and ask as many questions as you need. As mentioned before, we aim to leave you happy and content with your conversion, so honesty and realistic expectations are paramount!
Personally, I (Steven) absolutely love these conversions and I think they're injecting a well-overdue improvement to the industry. The controllability for summer months, ambient heat for winter, and the unparalleled heat up times makes them a perfect all-rounder.
Take a look around our pages here on the website, or give us a call if you need any information.
Some Further Reading:
