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 a heating, air conditioning and plumbing company writing about gas stoves? Hold that thought! First, we wanted to try and cut through the hype, confusion and inaccurate info to provide a review of the facts and only the facts:

Fact #1:

There are close to 40 million gas stoves in the U.S. and no, “the government” is not coming for your gas stove. Yet many cities — and some states — are already moving away from natural gas as part of efforts to reduce CO2, specifically in new construction properties. This will make it much less worthwhile to purchase a gas stove, despite what lawmakers are talking about.

Fact #2:

Gas stoves have been the subject of controversy due to some recent investigations that have indicated that emissions from gas stoves may be harmful to your health. Namely, worsening respiratory illness and asthma.

Fact #3:

The air within our homes (and businesses) is much less than ideal. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has studied this issue in-depth, sharing findings that indicate indoor levels of pollutants could be two to five times — and on occasion more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels.

Although 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, vape smoke and pet dander (a common allergen).
• Other Combustion Appliances: Other natural 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 produce harmful 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 moisture may enter the home through 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 consequence won’t have as much infiltration from natural, outdoor air.

Fact #4:

There are formal standards for residential ventilation and satisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) levels. These guidelines are often referred to as the ASHRAE 60.2 standard. Local building codes have widely embraced these standards to establish minimum ventilation requirements and other measures in order to reduce any negative 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 weather outdoors, the square footage of the home and other factors. The true ventilation performance in the average home may vary.

Fact #5:

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

First, whenever you cook with a gas stove, you ought to use the fan on your range hood so the combustion byproducts like smoke and CO gas are safety ventilated out of your home. But let’s be honest: how often do any of us use the fan on the range hood?

Which takes us to our next point. There are more suitable whole-home ventilation solutions that will dramatically improve your indoor air quality and home comfort while still allowing you to be the top chef in your home. Read on to learn more about the possible 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 gas stoves and which solution might be best for your home, contact Service Experts at 630-246-2698.