Hm, doesn’t this assume that none of the power going into the kettle is wasted? But some of it is—after I pour water, the heating element is still above room temperature.
Yes, but losses like that are presumably independent of everything else, assuming you pour immediately after the kettle boils (though that maybe is less likely with long boil time, which might lead you to be less attentive to immediately acting when it finally boils).
OK, you’re right. Put another way, if the heating element doesn’t get as hot, there is less energy wasted when it cools down after you pour the water out.
Hm, doesn’t this assume that none of the power going into the kettle is wasted? But some of it is—after I pour water, the heating element is still above room temperature.
Yes, but losses like that are presumably independent of everything else, assuming you pour immediately after the kettle boils (though that maybe is less likely with long boil time, which might lead you to be less attentive to immediately acting when it finally boils).
I don’t think so—if descaling reduces the temperature of the heating element (which I think we agree on), it’ll reduce the power wasted heating it up.
OK, you’re right. Put another way, if the heating element doesn’t get as hot, there is less energy wasted when it cools down after you pour the water out.