13amp Electric AGA
New Millennium, 'New' 13amp Electric AGA (and AIMS)
After the first electric AGA (The Economy 7 in the 1980's) It took 20 years for the next model to come along - the 13amp Electric AGA in early 2004.
This went back to the roots of the cast iron AGA: it's essentially very similar inside to an oil or gas model, only instead of an oil or gas burner it has an electric element (rated at 2.5kW - with a current-draw of 13amps, hence the name). The heat is distributed round the castings by a hot air circulation and cast iron heat conduction system.
The more simple construction made it cheaper to buy than the Economy 7 version, however it does cost more to run as it uses power through the daytime, and can't take full advantage of the cheaper overnight tariff.
Initially available as a two oven, the four oven followed in October 2004, then the new three oven in November 2005 (three oven also became available in gas fired too).
'AIMS' (AGA Intelligent Management System) became available for the 13amp electric AGA in June 2007. This added the ability to programme the cooker to lower its temperature to one of two pre-set levels when it's not in use (much like you'd programme your central heating, the difference to the AGA being that it was low to high rather than off to on with the heating). AIMS reduces fuel consumption (and heat output to the room) by 10-25% depending on how it is used.
How It Works
The 13amp Electric AGA uses a comparitively low powered connection (13amp or 2.5kW funnily enough!), similar to that of an electric kettle (technically it could plug in but it is strongly recommended that the AGA is on its own circuit as plugs and sockets are only designed for this type of load for a short period of time, and hard wiring the cooker to its own circuit also means you shouldn't overload the 'ring main' or socket circuit).
Its internals and workings are very similar to an oil or gas AGA but instead of using a burner, an electric element tops the heat up in the cast iron as and when required throughout the day. Conduction and convection then gently spread the warmth to the hot plates and ovens using air which is recirculated time and again - there are no 'products of combustion' to exhaust so no heat is wasted to a flue and the system is highly efficient.
Just like all heat storage AGAs the cast iron ovens are vented to outside, on the electric models this is through a 28mm (1") diameter copper pipe that runs from the back of the cooker to a small fan box mounted outside (you don't necessarily need to site the cooker on an outside wall, the pipe can run a short distance sideways behind the kitchen base units to outside).
As there's no burner to clean, maintenance is minimal and low cost - just a safety check every 2 and a half years.
The 13amp electric AGA is available in two, three or four oven models with or without the electric module in all colours and special editions (except Claret).
The 13amp electric AGA normally comes with AIMS - AGA's energy saving intelligent management system as a standard fitment (although the two and four oven models are still available as 'non-AIMS').
Wiring Requirements
The 13amp AGA is recommended to have its own circuit from the consumer unit (the consumer unit is also known as the fuse box). A 16amp circuit breaker should be used and (normally, unless there's a very long cable run) 2.5sq mm cable to a good quality switched, fused spur connection point to the side of the cooker. (If you already have a normal cooker circuit this can usually be adapted to feed the AGA.)
The AGA's element (when it's on) draws a current of about 11amps - about a third of the capacity of the 'ring' circuit (the sockets). If other appliances (such as a dishwasher or washing machine) are used at the same time it could potentially trip the circuit breaker, which is why it's recommended to have its own dedicated circuit.
Easy To Position
Because it's electric there's no need for a flue or chimney, after all there are no gas or oil fumes to get rid of. (It still has a small 28mm oven ventilation pipe to outside because, just like all traditional AGAs, the cast iron ovens vent to outside.) This means greater flexibility as to where in your kitchen you want your AGA to be.
Have more questions on installation requirements?
For running costs please see the AGA Running Cost page.
See info on the Economy 7 electric AGA here.
