Should You Ditch Gas for Electric Stoves? &#39;Stand Clear of Car Tailpipes&#39; Says Expert

Gas stoves may emit hazardous contaminants and tend to be costly when repairs are needed. Nonetheless, numerous people globally rely on them as their main tool for cooking.

Currently, a new electric stove and oven have been developed that can be directly connected to a standard power socket without requiring an electrician’s assistance.

These stoves have the potential to be a valuable advancement facilitating a widespread shift towards cleaner energy sources, moving us away from reliance on gas.

Dealing with gas leaks

For many years, Ed Yaker along with his fellow board members—who oversee approximately 1,500 apartments in a New York City co-op—have faced the challenge of addressing frequent gas leaks.

It's not surprising that Yaker’s interest was sparked upon discovering a California-based start-up that was producing an electric stove and oven designed to be easily connected to a standard electrical outlet.

In case of a leak, the gas supply for the whole building is cut off, rendering residents incapable of using it. stove For several months until costly fixes are done on the nearby natural gas pipes.

Nevertheless, the slim and conventional four-burner electric induction cooker provided by Copper operates at 120 volts. Consequently, you won’t have to spend large sums of money hiring an accredited electrician to modify your wiring for a higher voltage, as numerous electric cookers demand. The cutting-edge stove features a built-in intelligent battery, enabling it to recharge during periods of low usage. electrical rates are minimal, enabling individuals to prepare meals without facing high peak-time electricity rates.

“When it comes to whether this is the right approach, it’s obvious,” Yaker stated, showing how a quart (approximately one liter) of water came to a boil in roughly two minutes.

Yaker was also drawn to the energy-efficient electric stove because his apartment is filled with literature on energy conservation and climate change.

Preparing food using electric methods is more health-conscious.

Gas cooking Remains the prevalent technique for cooking in developed nations; however, gas stoves emit contaminants such as nitrogen dioxide, associated with asthma, along with carcinogenic benzene.

"I used a gas stove until I began this line of research," stated Rob Jackson, an environmental scientist from Stanford University and the principal author of the study. study Regarding contamination caused by gas stoves.

"Every time I ignited a burner or turned on my oven, I noticed an immediate increase in pollutants, which convinced me to make the change," Jackson stated.

You wouldn't breathe in the exhaust from a car by standing near its tailpipe. Similarly, around 50 million households in the United States find themselves exposed to similar contaminants when they use their gas stoves indoors.

Even when not in use, gas stoves release emissions.

Induction cooktops can likewise tackle the significant volume of greenhouse gases emitted by buildings – particularly those produced during cooking processes. heating and refrigeration of residential areas , and hot water.

Approximately fifty percent of the heat generated by gas stove flames dissipates into the surrounding area. In contrast, electric stoves can achieve efficiencies as high as eighty percent. Among these, induction stoves lead the pack with an efficiency rate of up to ninety percent, largely due to their ability to generate heat solely at the point of contact between the cookware and the cooking surface.

Simply having a gas stove present in a home leads to an increase in greenhouse gases, even when it remains off.

Jackson’s group discovered that gas stoves release methane — the primary component of natural gas — can escape when appliances are turned off due to loose fittings and at connection points between the stove and the wall.

The climate effect of faulty stoves in American residences was calculated to be similar to the carbon emissions produced by approximately 500,000 vehicles fueled by gasoline.

The latest electric stoves come with a hefty price tag – and it takes some time to adapt to them.

The early buyers of Copper stoves depend on governmental incentives to offset their high cost. When Yaker, who works as a teacher, decided to purchase one, a federal tax incentive for eco-friendly devices reduced the price from $6,000 (€5,722) to $4,200 (€4,005).

Buying the stoves in large quantities also results in significant cost savings. The manufacturer has a deal with them. New York City The Housing Authority plans to purchase 10,000 stoves with a maximum cost of $3,200 (€3,052) per unit, scheduled for delivery in 2026. Meanwhile, a nonprofit organization focused on developing affordable housing is also involved. California has also upgraded an apartment complex with the stoves.

"It’s really great; it looks good and is simple to clean," remarked Jolene Cardoza. When her grown-up daughter came over to cook and bake, her previous gas stove used to aggravate her asthma condition. She is pleased that the new electric stove does not emit pollutants .

Nevertheless, some other residents have experienced a bumpier adjustment period with induction cooking.

Monica Moore expressed dissatisfaction with how her food cooks in the oven, noting changes in the texture of her cornbread. Although she appreciates the speed at which water comes to a boil, she longs for the experience of using an open flame. Additionally, she found it inconvenient to swap out her usual cookware for pots and pans suitable for use with induction stovetops.

For Jackson, however, moving away from gas is crucial:

I believe turning off the gas supply to our residences and converting to electric power for our homes is among the most effective individual actions we can take to decrease our personal carbon footprint. greenhouse gas emissions I believe that when it comes to decreasing our greenhouse gas emissions, we should begin with automobiles and residences.