Is This Really The End for Gas Stoves?

In the past few months, we have seen many news stories regarding the possible ban of gas stoves used for cooking. So why is a heating and cooling company thinking about gas stoves? We'll tell you in a moment! First, 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 close to 40 million gas stoves in the U.S. and no, “the Fed” is not coming for your gas stove. Yet dozens of cities — and some states — are already moving away from natural gas as part of a growing decarbonization, particularly in new construction properties. This will make it pointless to buy a gas stove, even if they haven’t been banned.

Fact #2:

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

Fact #3:

The air within our homes (and businesses) is much less than excellent. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed reports that indicate indoor levels of airborne pollutants can be two to five times — and on occasion more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels.

While gas stoves may contribute to poor indoor air quality, they obviously aren’t the only cause. Others could 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 gas (or wood/oil burning) appliances such as space heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and water heaters.
• Construction 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: Household cleaning products may produce VOCs or other chemicals.
• The Soil: Radon gas and moisture may enter the home via the basement or crawl space from the soil surrounding the home.
• Well-Insulated Homes: While there are significant energy efficiency benefits, 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 common 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 largely adopted these standards to establish minimum ventilation requirements and other measures in an effort to reduce adverse 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 predicated on the weather outdoors, the size of the home and other factors. The actual ventilation performance in the average home may vary.

Fact #5:

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

First, whenever you cook with a gas stove, you really 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 more suitable whole-home ventilation strategies that will dramatically improve your indoor air quality and home comfort while still allowing you to be the #1 chef in your home. Read on to find out more about the potential 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 these appliances and which solution might be best for your home, contact Service Experts at 937-503-7896.