What Can I Do?
Not everyone is in a position to immediately upgrade to electric appliances, however, see below for a range of low or no-cost actions you can take.
Open a window and use your vent fan!
Gas stoves release toxic air pollutants in your kitchen. The first step is to get them out as quickly as possible. If you can, open a window to increase airflow in your kitchen.
If your kitchen comes with a vent fan, you should always use it. This isn’t a perfect solution, as many homes are built with vents that recirculate air into your walls or other parts of the home. But every bit of fresh air helps.
Get To Know Your Home Appliances
Most of us don’t think twice about our home appliances, but they could invite a toxic roommate into our homes. Your stove, furnace, water heater, and even your washer and dryer might run on “natural” gas. Take five minutes to check if your home appliances run on clean electricity or explosive, toxic methane!
Buy a countertop induction stove
While replacing your gas stove with a cleaner, safer, more efficient electric option is the best option, the upfront costs of new appliances can be considerable. Luckily there are now dozens of affordable and portable electric cooktops available that can plug into any electrical outlet! Entry level options are less than $100.
Go all-electric!
Modern electric appliances do everything gas ones do, without the need for toxic methane in your home. Induction stoves use less energy, boil water faster, and are easier to clean up than gas stoves. And all-electric heat pumps reduce monthly energy bills and reduce climate pollution from your home.
Be sure to check if there are state or local money-saving credits or incentives available for appliance upgrades for your home.
