Is This Really The End for Gas Stoves?

Recently, we have seen many news stories regarding the potential ban of gas stoves used for cooking. So why is an HVAC company talking about gas stoves? More on that question later! To begin with, we wanted to try and cut through the hype, confusion and inaccurate info to present a summary of the facts and only the facts:

Fact #1:

There are approximately 40 million gas stoves in the United States and no, “the Fed” is not coming for your gas stove. However, many cities — and some states — are already moving away from natural gas as part of efforts to reduce emissions, particularly in new construction homes. This will make it pointless to purchase a gas stove, even if they haven’t been banned.

Fact #2:

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

Fact #3:

The air inside our homes (and businesses) is much less than perfect. 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 are definitely not the only factor. Others could 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 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 produce unhealthy substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), another common indoor allergen, through what’s known as “outgassing.”
• Cleaning Compounds: Many popular cleaning products may produce VOCs or other chemicals.
• Nearby Soil: Radon gas and stormwater runoff may enter the home through the basement or crawl space from the soil around 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 satisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) levels. These guidelines are more commonly known as the ASHRAE 60.2 standard. Local building codes have generally embraced these standards to establish minimum ventilation requirements and other measures in order to minimize any negative effects on your health, resolving both health and safety problems for you and your family.

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

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 potential for poor indoor air quality. Proper and consistent ventilation is the real answer to this debate.

First, each time you prepare a meal 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 released out of your home. But honestly: 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 strategies that will consistently 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 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 option might be best for your home, contact Service Experts at 317-527-0271.