[unclewaltr]

I agree, most appliances in the US run on 240 volts, but this is separate from 3 phase. Most households only wire up single phase electrics. Both can support 120v or 240v appliances, but appliances designed for 3 phase are more efficient in their energy use and less prone to overload your breaker.

[13of40]

Not trying to be snarky, but it seems like for an oven to be less efficient, it would need to be releasing energy as something other than heat.

[unclewaltr]

I was not referring to the efficiency of a specific appliance. I didn't mention an oven in my comment. Three phase distribution is more efficient and mechanical appliances designed for three phase can take advantage of that.

[monocasa]

Or it doesn't insulate as well and has to inject more energy to maintain a certain temperature.