Are Electric Stoves Better for the Environment? (Full Guide)

Last Updated on August 3, 2023 by Annie Baldwin

When it comes to home appliances, few decisions seem as mundane as choosing between an electric or gas stove.

However, this simple choice has surprising implications for your carbon footprint and the planet’s health.

Read on to learn whether electric ranges offer meaningful environmental benefits over their gas-powered counterparts.

Are Electric Stoves Better for the Environment?

Yes, electric stoves are better for the environment than gas stoves in general due to being more energy-efficient, producing lower emissions, and not relying on the extraction and burning of fossil fuels like natural gas in the home.

Key Points

• Electric stoves convert 75-80% of consumed energy into cooking heat, over 50% more efficient than gas at 40-55%.
• Electric stoves produce no direct emissions, while gas stoves release pollutants like nitrogen oxides.
• Choosing an electric stove over gas eliminates a source of greenhouse gases and incentivizes energy-efficient technology.

What Are the Main Differences Between Gas and Electric Stoves?

The core difference between gas and electric stoves lies in their energy source.

Gas stoves burn natural gas or propane to produce heat, while electric stoves use electricity to power heating elements.

This fundamental difference in energy source drives many of the environmental and performance variations between the two stove types.

Gas stoves often heat up and cool down faster than electric models.

Their open-flame burners also allow more immediate control over cooking temperature.

However, electric stoves tend to provide more even, consistent heat.

Modern induction electric stoves also match or exceed the responsiveness of gas while providing the same level of control.

Which One Wastes More Energy?

When it comes to energy efficiency, electric stoves are the clear winners.

Electric stovetops convert 75-80% of the energy consumed into heat for cooking.

Gas stoves, on the other hand, manage only 40-55% efficiency.

This makes electric ranges over 50% more energy efficient on average.

Furthermore, gas stoves waste energy even when turned off by constantly burning a small pilot light.

Electric stoves use no energy at all when not in use.

Given that stoves spend the vast majority of time idle, this provides electric models with a significant efficiency advantage.

How Do Their Emissions Compare?

Burning natural gas produces several harmful air pollutants, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde.

Unless properly vented, gas stoves release these pollutants directly into indoor air.

Long-term exposure to gas stove pollution has been linked to increased childhood asthma and reduced lung function.

Electric stoves produce no direct emissions at the point of use.

From a narrowly local perspective, they are definitively less polluting.

However, the electricity used by electric stoves must be generated somehow, often through fossil fuels.

The emissions at these distant power plants make comparing total emissions complex.

Which Is Greener: Electric or Gas Stoves?

When accounting for both cooking efficiency and electric generation, electric stoves still come out ahead in most cases.

Energy Star estimates that a typical electric stove produces around 100 fewer pounds of greenhouse gases over a year of average use.

This advantage is increased when paired with renewable energy.

The only exception is in regions where electricity relies heavily on coal power.

In these areas, the emissions from electricity generation can cancel out the improved efficiency of electric stoves.

Where clean energy abounds, induction electric stoves are likely the greenest home cooking option.

Do Gas Stoves Contribute Significantly to Climate Change?

As a major consumer of natural gas, residential buildings account for over 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Within homes, gas stoves can contribute a meaningful portion of these climate impacts.

Replacing gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives eliminates a large direct source of fossil fuel consumption in homes.

Widespread electrification of stoves and other appliances is an important step in reducing national emissions.

How Does Cooking with Induction Stack Up?

Induction electric stoves go a step beyond traditional electric models.

They heat cookware directly using an electromagnetic field, eliminating inefficient heating elements.

This allows induction stoves to rival gas in responsiveness while retaining the emissions advantages of electricity.

Induction tops are over 85% efficient, meaning they waste little energy heating your kitchen.

Their precision also allows them to boil water faster than any other mainstream stove type.

Should You Make the Switch to Electric?

If you are in the market for a new stove, an electric or induction model is likely the best option for the climate.

Replacing an older gas appliance can also help shrink your carbon footprint.

However, don’t rush to replace your existing stove if it is still functioning well.

When the time comes, choosing electric helps incentivize wider adoption of energy-efficient technology.

Thankfully, high-performing electric and induction stoves are increasingly affordable options for eco-conscious homeowners.

What Are the Other Pros and Cons of Electric Stoves?

Electric stoves offer a few other advantages compared to gas appliances. They eliminate the risk of gas leaks and fire.

Electric models also tend to provide more consistent temperatures and evenly heated cookware.

On the downside, induction stove tops only work with specific cookware materials.

Electric stoves may also require special wiring upgrades in some homes.

Do Any Downsides Exist with Gas Stoves?

While many cooks praise the responsiveness and control of gas burners, gas stoves have some drawbacks beyond their energy efficiency.

For example, gas stoves produce significantly more indoor air pollution and humidity compared to electric models.

Frequent use of a gas stove for years may negatively impact respiratory health.

How Does an Electric Stove Work?

Electric stoves rely on resistive heating elements or induction technology to transform electrical energy into cooking heat.

Traditional elements apply current across a high-resistance metal coil or ceramic tile.

Induction stovetops use magnetic fields to induce rapid oscillation of iron molecules in cookware, converting energy into precise heat.

What Is the Best Electric Stove Brand?

Most major appliance brands like GE, Whirlpool, and LG now offer high-quality electric stove options.

For induction models, many consumers and experts praise brands like Wolf and Bosch.

However, stove preferences are somewhat subjective, so try testing different ranges in person before deciding on a brand.

Do Electric Stoves Take Longer to Cook?

While gas burners can initially heat pots and pans faster, modern electric and induction elements largely match gas stoves in actual cooking times.

Electric models also retain heat better with the burner off, allowing more residual cooking.

With good cookware, most users will notice little meaningful cooking time difference.

How Do I Reduce the Footprint of My Gas Stove?

If switching stove types is not feasible, you can still minimize the climate impact of a gas range.

Simple steps like only using the size burner needed for a pan or always cooking with lids can reduce wasted energy.

Maintaining your stove to ensure clean and efficient combustion will also cut down on excess gas use.

Small changes can make a gas stove greener.

While their reputation for responsiveness and control still entices many home chefs, gas stoves carry real downsides for personal health and the environment.

From indoor air pollution to wasted natural gas, gas burners leave a larger carbon footprint compared to modern electric alternatives.

Choosing an energy-efficient induction or electric range is a simple way to cook greener at home while still enjoying high performance.

Is natural gas cheaper than electric for stoves?

When it comes to stoves, natural gas is often cheaper than electricity for daily cooking.

The exact costs vary by location but on average natural gas costs less per British thermal unit (Btu) of energy compared to electricity.

Home cooks may save over $100 annually by choosing a gas stove over an electric.

However, this lower price per Btu does not tell the full story.

Electric stoves convert a much higher percentage of energy consumed into useful cooking heat.

This higher efficiency leads to electric stoves using less overall energy for the same tasks.

When total energy usage is accounted for, modern electric stoves can provide comparable or even lower annual cooking costs than less efficient gas models.

Electricity prices have also been rising at a slower rate than natural gas in many regions.

And unlike gas, electricity offers the option of choosing renewable energy sources.

While natural gas may be incrementally cheaper upfront, electric stoves offer better performance, lower emissions, and more predictability over the full lifetime of the appliance.

Which is more energy efficient gas or electric stoves?

Electric stoves are substantially more energy efficient than gas stoves.

Modern induction electric stoves go a step further, using electromagnetic fields to heat cookware directly.

Induction models can be over 85% efficient, putting nearly all consumed energy to use.

Their precision heating also provides faster boiling and cooking times.

Electric stoves cut energy use completely when not cooking.

When efficiency across their full usage is evaluated, electric stoves compare very favorably to gas due to turning more of their consumed energy into useful cooking heat.

How much energy do electric stoves use?

The amount of energy electric stoves consume depends on several factors, including the heating elements used, the size of the range, and cooking habits.

However, on average, an electric range will use around 300 to 400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually for a household that frequently cooks meals.

More energy-efficient induction cooktops will use less, averaging 200-300 kWh per year.

In contrast, a gas stove may consume 150 therms of natural gas over a year, equivalent to around 450 kWh.

So, while gas appears cheaper by unit price, electric stoves often use less net energy due to their efficiency advantage.

Standard electric elements draw anywhere from 1,200 to 5,000 watts (W) depending on the setting.

Boost elements and burners may reach above 2,500 W for rapid heating.

But even at peak load, an electric stove may use less than 2 kWh during an hour of cooking dinner.

This energy cost is very reasonable and worth the benefits electric ranges provide.

Do electric stoves use a lot of electricity?

While using any large appliance increases home electricity use, electric stoves are not major energy users compared to other kitchen appliances.

For example, a refrigerator may consume 500 to 600 kWh annually, nearly double some electric stoves.

Ovens, dishwashers, and other major appliances all require significant power.

In this context, an electric stove drawing 1-2 kWh for daily meal preparation is relatively low.

And thanks to their higher efficiency, electric stoves often use less net energy than gas models.

Of course, choosing an energy-efficient induction range where appropriate will further minimize electricity use.

But in general, electric stoves are not major contributors to residential energy consumption.

Their reasonable electricity needs are worthwhile for the performance, control, and environmental benefits they provide over gas stoves.

In Summary

Electric and induction stoves are generally more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than gas stoves.

Their lower emissions and lack of wasted natural gas in the home make electric models a greener choice, especially when paired with renewable electricity.

While gas stoves remain popular for their responsive burners, the development of high-performance induction cooktops helps electric stoves match or exceed the convenience of cooking with gas.

Replacing older gas ranges with electric or induction appliances can meaningfully reduce the climate impact of home cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Induction Stoves Help the Environment?

Induction stoves are extremely energy-efficient, with efficiencies over 85%. Their precision also allows them to boil water faster than any other mainstream stove. This waste-reducing performance makes induction models very eco-friendly.

Does Electricity Generation Negate the Benefits?

In regions relying on clean energy, induction electric stoves are the greenest option. Even when powered by fossil fuels, electric stoves produce fewer net emissions for most homes due to their cooking efficiency.

What About Remodeling for Electric?

When remodeling, going electric provides an opportunity to upgrade to energy-efficient induction or modern electric stoves. However, don’t replace an existing gas stove too soon if it still works well.

How Do I Make My Gas Stove Greener?

Using only the burner size needed, cooking with lids, and maintaining your stove for clean combustion can all reduce wasted energy and make a gas stove greener. But electric is still preferable for most homes.

At GreenChiCafe, we are passionate about the environment and our natural world. Please check out our website for more content on living sustainably, reducing your carbon footprint, and protecting our planet for future generations. We appreciate you taking the time to read this article and hope you found it informative.