The debate about switching from gas stoves to electric cooktops has been heating up lately on social media. So what’s the firestorm of controversy about?
In short, state and national agencies are advising — and in some cases giving tax incentives — for consumers to save energy by switching from gas appliances to electric.
If you’re looking to purchase a new stove or cooktop this year, it may be time to consider electric or induction ranges as a cheaper and potentially safer alternative.
Why Are People Switching From Gas to Electric Appliances?
Ditching gas stoves at home boils down to two main concerns. First, there are safety concerns about using gas in areas that are not well ventilated. Some studies have linked health concerns, specifically asthma, to elevated levels of indoor air pollution from gas-burning appliances.
Second, unlike electric appliances, gas appliances — like ranges and cooktops — release methane gas and other greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. Stanford researchers estimate the use of gas stoves in the United States puts the equivalent of tailpipe emissions from 500,000 cars into the environment every year.
“Although carbon dioxide is more abundant in the atmosphere, methane’s global warming potential is about 86 times as great over a 20-year period and at least 25 times as great a century after its release,” according to Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment’s 2022 report.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Switching From Gas to Electric?
When shopping for appliances, most consumers interested
