Which is Greener? Gas or Electric?

Whether you are building a new home or you are remodeling your kitchen, the question of whether to install a gas or electric stovetop is somewhere near the top of your list.  The question of whether one is greener than the other, well, I’m sorry to say there isn’t a perfect solution, but here are a few pros and cons to each option.

According to the Department of Energy, 4.5% of the energy used in a household is from cooking, so deciding whether you want a gas or electric stovetop is more a matter of preference than it is reducing your carbon footprint.  The fact is that gas stovetops provide instant heat and provide cooks with greater control over the temperatures, making them more efficient than their electric counterparts.

The energy for the stoves is either traced back to an electric power plant or a natural gas line. In short, you are still drawing power no matter what you decide to use.  What are some green alternatives to a stovetop for those who love to cook.

Well, there’s a microwave. Most of today’s microwaves use convection technology and work well when cooking smaller dishes. If you are cooking for a larger family or plan on making roasts every so often, then consider a stovetop that uses induction heating. Induction stovetops create heat faster by magnetically accelerating metal particles in steel, cast-iron, and some stainless steel pots.  Induction stovetops transfer 90% of the heat they generate to the pot, as opposed to 35 to 40% for gas stoves, and 70% for electric stovetops.  The only drawback is the price tag. Induction stovetops can cost between $700 and $1,300 where as traditional gas and electric stovetops only cost about $300.

Whether you’re a casual or a professional chef, how you choose to select your appliances and design your kitchen is a matter of preference. If cooking is your passion, take a look at our collection of fabulous kitchen house plans, any of which will look great with a gas or electric stovetop.