Induction cooktops bring a new definition to "healthy cooking"

"—And that means that you're burning gas and those combustion byproducts, that nitrous oxide, it's just going into the room."

When we sat down to discuss heat pump water heaters and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems with Jon Koliner, director of Research and Innovation, and Kevin Frost, senior energy engineer, we didn't expect to have a nearly 10-minute digression about the benefits induction cooktops have over gas ones, but it ended up being one of the most fascinating parts in the podcast (and probably the best conversation I’ve ever had about cooktops).

In our conversation, Jon and Kevin brought up that when gas appliances burn fuel, they also create byproducts like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide which remain in the home unless they're properly vented to the outside, which gas stoves rarely are.

The negative aspects of gas stoves on the air quality in homes and businesses have been explored in multiple recent studies, including the landmark study by Environmental Science and Technology, which analyzed hazardous compounds from unburned natural gas in samples collected from household gas stoves and pipes across Boston.  

This research identified 21 different volatile organic compounds classified as hazardous air pollutants by the EPA, including benzene, a compound with no known safe exposure level. And if the hood vent for your gas stove isn’t properly ventilated to the outside, those noxious gases stay in your house.  

Not to mention—as Kevin points out in our podcast episode—all the cooking grease and moisture is also recirculated back into the air.  

On the other hand, our research has shown that induction stoves, when considered as a key part of home weatherization, helps improve indoor air quality and the overall health and well-being of residents. In fact, making the switch from gas appliances can not only help reduce headaches and general discomfort—it can even help reduce stress levels by lowering monthly utility bills.

And there’s still more to learn. We're currently conducting a research study to assess the energy saving opportunities, health impacts, and customer satisfaction from replacing natural gas residential ranges with induction cooktops in the Midwest. So keep an eye out for the results when they’re released later this year.

To learn more about the benefits of induction cooktops (including how much more efficient they are than gas stoves) and electrification in general, listen to our latest podcast episode!