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Many professional cooks prefer to cook with gas burners because of the flame’s instant response and controllability. But both the professional and home cook can also benefit from the lower operating costs of gas stoves. Gas cooking appliances use less energy than electric stoves because the fuel is delivered directly to the home and used directly for cooking.

Find it! Gas stoves

When shopping for a new gas stove, look for models with an electric ignition. These save 40 to 50 percent more energy than a stove with a pilot light that burns small amounts of gas continuously.[1] All new gas stoves are now required to have electric ignitions.

Also look for gas stoves with a self-cleaning oven, which improves efficiency because it has more insulation and maintains oven temperature better. In addition, choose a model with a convection oven. These feature a fan that continuously circulates heated air around the food, so the temperature and cooking times can be reduced. On average, convection ovens use 20 percent less energy.[2]

Before you buy

The US government does not require minimum-efficiency standards for stoves so you won’t find any yellow EnergyGuide labels nor ENERGY STAR logos when you go shopping for a gas stove. Though they tend to cost slightly more than electric stoves, their operating costs will be less. The most energy-efficient gas stove is one with an electric induction cooktop. However, there are only a few of these units on the market and they cost more than $1,200.

Buying a gas stove helps you go green because…

• Gas stoves use natural gas as a fuel source, which is more efficient than electricity and creates less CO₂, a greenhouse gas.

A new kitchen stove is expected to last 16 to 21 years years.[3] Therefore, it’s important to consider energy-efficiency when buying a new cooking appliance. Gas stoves waste less energy compared to electricity because the fuel is delivered directly to the home without undergoing any conversions. Electricity, on the other hand, is made by converting coal (or another fuel source) into electricity. Typically, one unit of electricity requires three or four units of fuel.

Compared to electric stoves, gas stoves are also responsible for fewer CO₂ emissions. Additionally, a gas stove provides significant cost savings. According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, to cook the same meal, an electric oven would cost 17 cents compared to 7 cents for a gas oven.[4]

Drawbacks

Cooking on gas appliances introduces combustion byproducts into your home, including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide. Possible health effects include headaches, dizziness, sleepiness, watery eyes, as well as breathing difficulties or even death. Therefore, every gas stove should have a ventilation fan above it to vent pollutants to the outside. These range hoods remove up to 70 percent of pollutants.[5] Look for an ENERGY STAR ventilation fan, which is quieter than standard models and use 65 percent less energy.[6] For a list of ENERGY STAR Range Hoods see the ENERGY STAR products list.

Additionally, burners that are improperly adjusted can cause increased emissions. If the flames are blue, the burner is operating well, but if they're yellow, it’s time to clean the burners, or seek assistance from your gas company or a qualified appliance repair service.[6]

Glossary

• carbon monoxide: A colorless, odorless gas released into the air by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels.
• formaldehyde: A flammable reactive gas belonging to the VOC family of chemicals. It is widely used in personal care products, building materials, insulation, and home furnishings.
• nitrogen dioxide: A byproduct of combustion, this colorless, odorless gas is toxic in high concentrations.

External links

• How Stuff Works - Which is greener? Gas or electric cooking?
• HomeTips.com - Range & Cooktop Burners: Gas or Electric?
• US Consumer Products Safety Commission - What You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution
• US Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: A Consumer’s Guide: Shopping for Energy-Efficient Appliances and Home Electronics