The Sizzling Debate on Electric or Gas Stoves

The Eternal Debate

The debate between electric and gas stoves has recently become a heated topic, with state and federal policies flying around. From a proposed ban on gas stoves in New York over environmental concerns to the Biden Administration and DOE’s new proposed appliance standards, many Americans are wondering whether and when to electrify their kitchens. But are electric stoves really more climate-friendly than gas ones? 

With the climate crisis front and center this summer due to record breaking heat, wildfires, and storms, I thought it time we get to the bottom of it. As a climate scientist deeply concerned about our planet's well-being, I aim to shed light on this matter and explore which option holds the promise of a greener future.

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[fs-toc-h2] Electric Stoves: A Spark of Sustainability

Electric stoves have garnered attention in recent years for their potential environmental benefits. They are considered more efficient when it comes to combustion-related direct emissions. Unlike gas stoves, electric models produce zero combustion-related direct emissions during operation. Additionally, gas stoves leak even when they are not in use, which is not a concern for electric ones. 

However, electric stoves aren’t emissions-free. It is important to acknowledge that electric stoves indirectly contribute to carbon emissions through the generation and transmissions of electricity. If the electricity used in powering the stove is primarily generated from fossil fuel sources such as coal, the overall carbon footprint can increase substantially. So is an electric stove more environmentally friendly than a gas one? It largely depends on the energy sources powering it, which can vary widely depending on where you’re based.

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“Is an electric stove more environmentally friendly than a gas one? It largely depends on the energy sources powering it.”

[fs-toc-h2] Should I Replace My Stove? 

As an environmentally concerned citizen, you may be asking yourself, ‘should I replace my gas stove with an electric one to combat climate change?’ 

I found that in just about 50% of US regions, magnetic induction stoves have a lower carbon footprint than gas stoves.

By looking at the energy mix across different groupings of American states (the proportion of different energy sources) and pairing it with data from a 2019 study on the efficiency of gas versus electric stoves, it became clear that electric vs. gas stoves wasn’t clear cut. This percentage is even lower for a conventional resistance stove, the induction stove’s less efficient electric counterpart. 

So, if you live in one of the states with a relatively clean grid, you should absolutely electrify. But what if you live in a state powered more by coal? Should you go with a gas stove? The answer is a bit more complicated. 

Given that our grid is rapidly transitioning to cleaner energy sources (just in the past 3 years, the national grid has lowered carbon emissions by 9%!), we can expect that electric stoves will be preferable to gas stoves in more and more states in the near future. Since the average lifespan of a stove is over 13-15 years, it makes sense to plan for a future with cleaner energy. So I’m still planning to buy an electric stove for my next home remodel, and so should you!

“We can expect that electric stoves will be preferable to gas stoves in more and more states.”

[fs-toc-h2] The Way Forward: Electrify Everything

In determining whether to electrify your kitchen, your home, or your vehicle, it is vital to consider both the regional energy mix in your area and future trends. 

In the long- term, electric stoves, and wide-spread electrification at large,  are one piece of the larger energy grid decarbonized puzzle. And as we near the 2030, now is the time to weigh these considerations to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. It’s also the time to call on governments to invest more in renewable energy infrastructure and incentivize households to transition to electric stoves through financial incentives and tax breaks.

The bottom line is that we have less than a decade - 80 months - to meet The Paris Agreement by reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 43%. And our actions today will decide our fate.