5 Reasons to Switch from Gas to ENERGY STAR Certified Electric Cooking

Preparing to remodel your kitchen or just ready for an upgrade? Consider switching out your gas stove for a more modern and efficient ENERGY STAR certified electric cooking product!

ENERGY STAR certified electric cooktops and ranges are the latest in innovative cooking technology, helping you improve indoor air quality and safety in your kitchen without sacrificing cooking performance. These products offer the cooking performance you’d expect while using around 18% less energy than standard electric cooking models. 

There are several reasons to choose high-efficiency electric cooking products over gas, including to reduce carbon emissions and indoor air pollutants. And with state energy efficiency rebates starting to roll out under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), there has never been a better time to switch to an ENERGY STAR certified electric cooktop or range.

1. Energy Efficiency

When you cook with gas, only around 33% of the heat generated is transferred to your food. Instead of heating your food, this wasted energy ends up heating your kitchen. During hot summer months, this means your AC will have to work harder—and use even more energy—to keep your home cool. ENERGY STAR certified electric cooking products, on the other hand, can transfer between 74-85%[1] of heat generated to your food, depending on the technology. This means less wasted energy and a more comfortable cooking environment.

2. Health and Safety

When your stove burns gas, it releases air pollutants into your home, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter. These pollutants can increase the risk of certain health conditions, including dizziness, headaches, and respiratory infections. A study by RMI found that children living in a home with a gas stove had a 42% increased risk of developing asthma due to the high levels of nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the air. Since electric cooking does not directly burn fossil fuels, it contributes to improved indoor air quality. And with no open flames, lower risk of fire, and no risk of gas leaks, electric stoves are generally safer options for your kitchen.

3. Environment 

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, ENERGY STAR certified electric cooking products are the way to go. Cooking efficiently with electricity allows you to use the power of the sun, wind, and other renewable energy sources to cook your food, without using up more than you absolutely need. As the power grid becomes greener with growing investment in renewable energy technologies, your electric stove will become greener, too.

4. Convenience

Electric cooking products can be easier and less expensive to install since you don’t need a gas hookup. For an electric stove, all you need is electricity and a power outlet—though most electric stoves require a 240-volt outlet. Once installed, electric stoves are also easier to maintain. Since most modern electric stovetops have smooth glass and ceramic surfaces, clean-up after cooking is quicker and easier than cleaning gas burners and grates.

5. Rebates & Incentives

With funding from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, states are starting to roll out new rebate programs for energy efficient appliances, including electric stoves and cooktops. As these state rebates roll out, high efficiency electric cooktops and ranges will become more affordable and accessible than ever. Explore the ENERGY STAR Home Improvement Savings Tool to find rebates available in your area.

Other Considerations for Going Electric

Induction: Advanced Electric Cooking

If you’re looking to get the most out of an electric stove, ENERGY STAR certified induction cooktops and ranges combine the most efficient technology with the highest cooking performance. Unlike traditional electric stoves that heat metal coils to cook, induction technology uses electromagnetic energy to heat cookware internally. This process significantly reduces energy loss, provides more temperature control, and speeds up cooking. 

Induction stoves can be upwards of three times more efficient than gas stoves and around 5-10% more efficient than conventional electric stoves. Induction cooking also heats faster than conventional electric and even gas stoves. For example, boiling water with an induction cooktop takes less than half the time it takes with a gas or conventional electric cooktop. Because induction electric can outperform gas in terms of speed, control, efficiency, and convenience, even professional chefs are starting to opt for this cooking technology in their kitchens. 

If you are interested in an induction cooktop or range, keep in mind that only certain cookware is compatible. Luckily, you probably already have compatible cookware in your kitchen. Flat-bottomed cast iron, stainless steel, and enameled cast iron cookware will all work with induction. If you aren’t sure if your cookware is compatible, it’s easy to test—if a magnet sticks to it, it is most likely compatible with induction.

Choosing the Right Model

ENERGY STAR certified electric cooking products come in a variety of styles, sizes, and functionalities including standalone cooktops and ranges, so you can be sure you’ll find a model that fits your kitchen and suits your cooking needs. Explore the ENERGY STAR Product Finder for a model that will work best for your kitchen.