Is This Really The End for Gas Stoves?

In recent months, we have seen several news stories regarding the possible ban of gas stoves used for cooking. So why is an HVAC company thinking about gas stoves? More on that question later! First of all, we wanted to try and cut through the drama, confusion and misinformation to provide a summary of the facts and only the facts:

Fact #1:

There are approximately 40 million gas stoves in the U.S. and no, “the government” is not coming for your gas stove. However, several cities — and some states — are already transitioning away from natural gas as part of a growing decarbonization, particularly in new construction properties. This will make it worthless to buy a gas stove, even if they haven’t been banned.

Fact #2:

Gas stoves have been the target of controversy due to multiple recent investigations that have indicated that emissions from gas stoves may be hazardous to your health. Namely, leading to 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) has completed reports that indicate indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times — and sometimes 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 may be:

• Occupants Within the Home: People and pets at home produce carbon dioxide (CO2), odors, cigarette 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 unhealthy substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), another common indoor allergen, through what’s known as “outgassing.”
• Cleaning Compounds: Home cleaning products may produce VOCs or other chemicals.
• The Soil: Radon gas and stormwater runoff may enter the home via the basement or crawl space from the foundation surrounding the home.
• Well-Insulated Homes: Naturally there are energy savings benefits, but homes that are well insulated are “more restrictive” and as a result won’t have as much infiltration from fresh, outdoor air.

Fact #4:

There are formal standards for residential ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) levels. These guidelines are more commonly known as the ASHRAE 60.2 standard. Local building codes have widely followed these standards to identify minimum ventilation requirements and other measures in order to minimize adverse effects on your health, resolving both health and safety problems for the entire household.

That being said, the ultimate performance of your ventilation is not directly measured or audited. Even if it was, it’s highly dependent on the local environment outdoors, the square footage of the home and other factors. The actual ventilation performance in your average American home fluctuates widely.

Fact #5:

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

First, each time you prepare a meal with a gas stove, you should use the fan on your range hood so the combustion byproducts like smoke and CO gas are properly released out of your home. But honestly: 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 dramatically improve your indoor air quality and home comfort while still enabling 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 writing about gas stoves? Well, the “V” in HVAC stands for “Ventilation” and “There’s an Expert for That”! To learn more about gas stoves and which solution might be best for your home, contact Service Experts at 843-410-6103.