How Much Does It Really Cost You to Bake Bread?

Calculate your energy savings in just 5 minutes

One of the most comforting smells in the world is that of freshly baked bread. If your days are already filled with dough, fermentations, and impatient customers, sitting down to crunch kilowatt numbers might sound like science fiction. But knowing how much it really costs to bake each loaf is the first step to improving your margin.

Today, instead of guessing, you’ll learn how to put real numbers to it.

Electricity is invisible—but you can feel it in your bill. If you’re a baker or manage a bakery section in a supermarket, understanding how much energy your oven uses is key to improving your margin without compromising quality.

We’ll explain it without complicated formulas and give you practical steps to make informed decisions.

1. Why Should You Look at Your Energy Bill?

The oven is one of the most energy-consuming pieces of equipment in a bakery or shop.
In some cases, it represents up to a third of the monthly electricity bill.
If it’s used incorrectly or is outdated, it can consume 30% more energy than necessary.
And the worst part? Most of the time, we don’t even realize it. That’s why the first step is to make a basic calculation that can change the way you work.

2. How to Calculate Your Energy Cost (Without Being a Technician)

To do it, you only need:

• The oven’s power,

• The hours per day it’s turned on,

• The price per kWh from your bill.

Step-by-step example

🔹 Step 1: Oven power
Look for a metal plate on the side or inside the door. It usually says something like: “Power: 12 kW”.

🔹 Step 2: Daily operating hours
Count how many hours the oven is on (even if it’s idling). Example: 7 hours per day.

🔹 Step 3: kWh price
You’ll find it on your energy bill, usually something like: “€0.14 /kWh”.

🔹 Calculation: Power × Hours × Price = Daily cost

Example: 12 kW × 7 h × €0.14 = €11.76 per day

Now multiply by 30 days: €11.76 × 30 = €352.80 per month

That’s how much you’re spending on electricity for the oven alone.

3. Can You Save Without Replacing the Oven?

Yes. Here are 5 simple things you can start checking tomorrow:

1. Don’t preheat longer than necessary
   15–20 minutes is enough. Preheating for 40 minutes just because “we’ve always done it that way” can add €60 more per month.

2. Group your baking sessions
   Plan production so the oven doesn’t stay on while empty for long periods.

3. Check seals and doors
   If the oven door feels hot to the touch, you’re losing heat. Replacing a seal can save up to 5% on energy.

4. Use all the available space
   A half-empty oven uses the same energy as a full one—but produces less. Optimize every tray.

5. Clean heating elements and sensors
   Over time, grease builds up and forces the oven to work harder to maintain temperature. A monthly cleaning can prevent up to 8% extra consumption.

4. What If You Want to Switch to an Efficient Oven?

A modern oven—like those from Salva—is designed to maintain quality while reducing energy costs. But how can you tell if yours is efficient?

Quick checklist to know if your oven is energy-efficient:

• Does it take more than 5 minutes to recover temperature after opening?

• Does it lack an ECO or Standby mode?

• Does it inject steam manually without digital control?

• Is the exterior casing very hot?

• Has it never had an energy inspection?

If you answered “yes” to more than two, you’re probably spending more than you need to.

5. How Much Can You Save with an Efficient Oven?

It depends on usage, but in many cases, you can save between 20% and 30%.

Real example:

• Current monthly cost: €400

• Estimated savings: 25%

• Monthly savings: €100

• Annual savings: €1,200

And that’s not even counting the improvements in quality, reliability, and reduced maintenance needs.

6. Does an Efficient Oven Also Improve the Bread?

Yes. Keeping a stable temperature, better steam control, and avoiding abrupt temperature changes directly impact:

• More even crust

• Softer crumb

• Fewer discarded loaves due to overbaking

A good oven doesn’t just save energy—it protects your product, your brand, and your profits.

So, What Can You Do Now?

We suggest three options, depending on where you are:

1. I want to know how much I spend: use the simple formula in this article.

2. I want to see an efficient oven in action: request a virtual demo.

3. I want to know if I can save without replacing my oven: ask for a free efficiency check.

It’s not about changing for the sake of it. It’s about knowing whether you’re overpaying—and whether it’s worth making the switch.