Where does the average load factor come from?

From the meter or the oven control log: average kilowatts drawn over the cycle divided by connected load. Elements switch on and off, so a full nameplate draw for the whole cycle overstates the energy.

Why is the cost per part blank at zero good parts?

A cost per good part with no good parts has no population, so the row stays blank. The batch cost still shows what the cycle drew; enter the good part count to price each one.

Does the runtime include ramp and dwell?

Yes, from load start to unload, because the oven draws power through ramp, dwell and cool down. The cure schedule fixes those steps, and the meter average smooths their different draw levels.

How can I cut cure energy cost per part?

Fill the batch, because the cycle energy spreads across the parts inside it, and check the load factor against the meter. Better insulation and door seals cut standing losses on long dwells.

Composites, Fiberglass & Advanced Materials calculator

Cure Oven Energy Cost Calculator

Estimate the energy a cure cycle draws from connected load, runtime and the average load factor a meter or control log shows. The per-part row prices the cure against the good parts in the batch.

What this calculator does

Cure energy cost per good part from connected load, cycle runtime, average load factor and energy price.

Formula used

Energy used = connected load × cycle runtime × average load factor ÷ 100
Batch energy cost = energy used × energy price
Cure energy cost per good part = batch energy cost ÷ good parts in batch, blank when that count is zero
Cost per cycle hour = batch energy cost ÷ cycle runtime, blank when the runtime is zero

Inputs explained

Connected Load: Nameplate load of the oven or heated tool.
Cure Cycle Runtime: Load start to unload, from the cure schedule.
Average Load Factor: Average draw over the cycle, from the meter or control log.
Energy Price: Blended electricity or gas price from the utility bill.
Good Parts in Batch: Good parts accepted from the same cure batch.

How to use the result

Best suited to comparing two cure profiles on one oven, pricing cure energy into a part quote, checking a meter reading against the nameplate.
One average load factor hides the higher draw during ramp; a control log gives a better figure. Heated tooling, insulation and door losses are not modeled on their own.

Current U.S. benchmarks

As of Jul 2026, industrial electricity averages 9.8 cents per kWh across the U.S. (EIA), up 4.7% from a year earlier. State averages range widely, so plants should confirm against their own tariff.
The producer price index for plastic resins and materials stands at 280.569 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 6.6% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move.
Steel mill PPI stands at 381.162 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 23.4% from a year earlier. New factory orders are up 8.5% year over year (Census).

Common questions

Where does the average load factor come from? From the meter or the oven control log: average kilowatts drawn over the cycle divided by connected load. Elements switch on and off, so a full nameplate draw for the whole cycle overstates the energy.
Why is the cost per part blank at zero good parts? A cost per good part with no good parts has no population, so the row stays blank. The batch cost still shows what the cycle drew; enter the good part count to price each one.
Does the runtime include ramp and dwell? Yes, from load start to unload, because the oven draws power through ramp, dwell and cool down. The cure schedule fixes those steps, and the meter average smooths their different draw levels.
How can I cut cure energy cost per part? Fill the batch, because the cycle energy spreads across the parts inside it, and check the load factor against the meter. Better insulation and door seals cut standing losses on long dwells.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.