Is This Really The End for Gas Stoves?

In recent months, we have seen numerous news stories concerning the possible ban of gas stoves used for cooking. So why is a heating, air conditioning and plumbing company writing about gas stoves? We'll tell you in a moment! First of all, we wanted to try and cut through the hype, confusion and misinformation to share a summary of the facts and only the facts:

Fact #1:

There are approximately 40 million gas stoves in the kitchens of American families and no, “the Fed” is not coming for your gas stove. But several cities — and some states — are already moving away from natural gas as part of a growing decarbonization, especially in new construction homes. This will make it pointless to invest in a gas stove, despite what lawmakers are talking about.

Fact #2:

Gas stoves have been the target of arguments due to multiple recent investigations that have suggested that emissions from gas stoves may be hazardous to your health. Namely, it’s causing respiratory illness and asthma.

Fact #3:

The air found in our homes (and businesses) is much less than perfect. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) references studies that indicate indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times — and on occasion more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels.

While gas stoves may play a role in poor indoor air quality, they obviously aren’t the only cause. Others might be:

• Occupants Within the Home: People and pets at home produce carbon dioxide (CO2), odors, vape smoke and pet dander (a common allergen).
• Other Combustion Appliances: Other fuel (or wood/oil burning) appliances such as space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and water heaters.
• Building Materials and Furnishings: Paints, carpeting, fiberglass, particle board and fabrics may release harmful substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), another common indoor allergen, through what’s known as “outgassing.”
• Cleaning Compounds: Household cleaning products may produce VOCs or other chemicals.
• Nearby Soil: Radon gas and stormwater runoff may enter the home via the basement or crawl space from the soil bordering the home.
• Well-Insulated Homes: It may seem counter-intuitive, but homes that are well insulated are “sealed up” and as a result won’t have as much infiltration from fresh, outdoor air.

Fact #4:

There are well-known practices for residential ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) levels. These guidelines are known by industry experts as the ASHRAE 60.2 standard. Local building codes have generally embraced these standards to determine minimum ventilation requirements and other measures in an effort to decrease any negative effects on your health, resolving both health and safety problems for you and your family.

That being said, the final performance of your ventilation is not directly assessed or audited. Even if it was, it’s highly reliant on the weather outdoors, the square footage of the home and other factors. The precise ventilation performance in the average home may vary.

Fact #5:

It’s still entirely your choice. You don’t have to say goodbye to your gas stove and replace it with electric, and you also don’t have to pick between your gas stove and the prospect for poor indoor air quality. Proper and consistent ventilation is the real secret to this debate.

First, each time you cook with a gas stove, you should use the fan on your range hood so the combustion byproducts like smoke and CO gas are safety released out of your home. But to be candid: how often do any of us use the fan on the range hood?

Which is our next point. There are much more effective whole-home ventilation strategies that will significantly improve your indoor air quality and home comfort while still allowing you to be the "Bobby Flay" chef in your home. Read on to find out more about the available solutions for your home.

So, why is a HVAC company thinking about gas stoves? Well, the “V” in HVAC stands for “Ventilation” and “There’s an Expert for That”! To learn more about these appliances and which solution might be best for your home, contact Service Experts at 204-800-0613.