Gas stoves might emit hazardous contaminants and tend to be costly when repairs are needed. Nevertheless, 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 household electrical outlet without requiring an electrician’s services.
These stoves have the potential to be a valuable advancement facilitating a widespread shift towards cleaner energy, 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 within a New York City co-op—have faced the ongoing issue of gas leaks.
It comes as no surprise that Yaker’s interest was sparked upon discovering a Californian start-up that was producing an electric stove and oven capable of being connected directly 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 repairs are undertaken on the nearby natural gas pipelines.
Nevertheless, the modern, conventional four-burner electric induction cooker from Copper operates at 120 volts. Therefore, you won’t have to spend thousands of euros hiring an electrician to modify your wiring for a higher voltage setup as some electric stoves necessitate. The advanced design includes a built-in intelligent battery, allowing it to recharge whenever needed. 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 within roughly two minutes.
Yaker was also motivated by the energy efficiency of the electric stove: his apartment is filled with numerous books about energy and climate change.
Preparing food using electric appliances is more health-conscious.
Gas cooking Remains the predominant technique for cooking in developed nations; however, gas stoves emit contaminants such as nitrogen dioxide, associated with asthma, along with carcinogenic substances like 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.
"Witnessing the rapid increase in pollutants each time I ignited a burner or turned on my oven convinced me to make the change," Jackson noted.
“You wouldn’t stand over the tailpipe of a car breathing in the exhaust from that car. And yet nearly 50 million households [in the United States] stand over a gas stove, breathing the same pollutants in their homes.”
Even when not in use, gas stoves release emissions.
Induction stoves can likewise tackle the significant volume of greenhouse gases emitted by buildings – particularly those produced during cooking processes. heating and air-conditioning of residential areas , and hot water.
Approximately half of the heat generated by gas stove flames dissipates into the surrounding area. In contrast, electric stoves can achieve efficiencies as high as 80 percent. Among these, induction cooktops lead the way with an efficiency rate of up to 90 percent, largely due to their design which heats only the portion of the pan that comes into direct contact with 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 they're not in use, due to loose fittings and at the connections 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 users of Copper stoves depend on governmental incentives to offset the significant cost. When Yaker, who works as a teacher, purchased 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 installed new stoves in an apartment building.
"It's really neat; it looks great and is simple to keep clean," remarked Jolene Cardoza. When her grown-up daughter visited for baking sessions, her previous gas stove exacerbated her asthma issues. She is pleased that the new electric model does not produce 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 that her cornbread has a different texture than usual. Although she appreciates the speed at which water comes to a boil, she laments not being able to cook over an open flame. Additionally, she found it inconvenient having to use pots and pans specifically designed for induction stovetops.
For Jackson, however, moving away from gas is crucial:
I believe turning off the gas supply to our residences and transitioning 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.
