Is This Really The End for Gas Stoves?

In recent months, we have seen a number of news stories regarding the possible ban of gas stoves used for cooking. So why is an HVAC company talking about gas stoves? We'll tell you in a moment! First, we wanted to try and cut through the hype, confusion and inaccurate info to provide a summary of the facts and only the facts:

Fact #1:

There are an estimated 40 million gas stoves in the U.S. and no, “the government” is not coming for your gas stove. Yet dozens of cities — and some states — are already moving away from natural gas as part of efforts to reduce CO2, particularly in new construction properties. This will make it pointless to purchase a gas stove, whether or not they are actually banned.

Fact #2:

Gas stoves have been the target of debate due to several recent studies that have implied 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.

Even though gas stoves may contribute to 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, tobacco 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 emit 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.
• Nearby Soil: Radon gas and humidity may enter the home through the basement or crawl space from the foundation around 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 fresh, outdoor air.

Fact #4:

There are well-known 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 followed these standards to identify minimum ventilation requirements and other measures in order to reduce adverse effects on your health, resolving both health and safety problems for everyone.

That being said, the overall performance of your ventilation is not directly assessed or audited. Even if it was, it’s highly dependent on climate conditions outdoors, the square footage of the home and other factors. The precise ventilation performance in the average home is not easily determined.

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 poorer indoor air quality. Proper and consistent ventilation is the real key 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 discharged out of your home. But let’s be honest: 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 significantly improve your indoor air quality and home comfort while still enabling you to be the "Bobby Flay" chef in your home. Read on to learn more about the available solutions for your home.

So, why is a HVAC company talking 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 system might be best for your home, contact Service Experts at 407-329-7661.