Maybe many gas stove users are considering switching to electric stoves, or vice versa as electricity costs are skyrocketing.
Although they all focus on the idea of saving electricity or gas, everything is still just impulsive thinking and not always wise without a clear understanding of the benefits of each type of stove. Before making a decision, take some time to consider factors such as whether the home is suitable for either device, or whether you can afford the upfront investment for either device.
Reliability is another important consideration. Are gas appliances as reliable as electric appliances? Take some time to consider these factors to ensure that everyone's decision is not only budget-friendly but also safe and efficient for the home.
Safety.
Electric appliances often have an advantage when it comes to safety and are always safer than gas appliances. But by taking a few precautions, users can use gas appliances safely.
First, make sure that the house, especially the kitchen, is well-ventilated. This is because gas appliances such as stoves, regardless of whether they are in use or not, emit nitrogen oxides and methane along with other harmful gases.
If installed incorrectly, gas appliances can produce carbon monoxide (CO) - a dangerous invisible and odorless toxic gas that can be fatal if CO levels are above 200 ppm. Therefore, besides a proper ventilation system, users should also invest in a CO gas detector. This will add to the cost but is necessary because the CO detector will immediately alert if any strange CO buildup is detected.
Since appliances that are not well maintained or installed properly can cause gas leaks or CO poisoning, users should also check gas appliances regularly. Users should also spend a little extra money to have professionals install the device instead of doing it themselves to minimize the risk of gas leaks and fires.
Although electrical appliances may seem safer on the surface because there is no free flow of gas into the apartment, users need to be cautious with both electric and gas appliances. Although there is no need to worry about poisoning or CO leakage, electrical equipment poses a risk of fire and electric shock if not installed and maintained properly. No type of device can be considered completely secure unless the user sets it up and uses it extremely carefully.
Environmental problems.
Although gas appliances can help cut electric bills, they are not environmentally friendly, because appliances that use natural gas as an energy source are made up primarily of methane, a gas causes the greenhouse effect. When used, natural gas will release unburned methane and CO2 into the environment.
According to UNEP (an organization under the United Nations), this powerful greenhouse gas accounts for about 30% of the cause of global warming since pre-industrial times. Gas appliances not only have a negative impact on the climate but also affect indoor quality and create many dangerous emissions in homes.
According to a report by the IEA (International Journal of Epidemiology), cooking with gas increases the risk of asthma in children, and children living in homes with gas stoves are at risk of experiencing symptoms of asthma. increased by 42%. A 2022 report by Stanford scientists also concluded that gas stoves emit about 1.3% of the gas they use as unburned methane. Since electric appliances do not emit any harmful emissions, they can be considered more environmentally friendly than gas appliances, especially when running on renewable energy.
Which choice is better?
Once health and safety considerations have been thoroughly evaluated, cost often becomes the final deciding factor, including the initial cost and long-term cost of the device. Gas appliances are cheaper to operate in the long run because the cost per unit of gas is typically lower than electricity in most areas.
Initially, homes are often set up with either gas or electricity, and switching between the two can incur significant costs. Whether switching from gas to electric or vice versa, costs can involve purchasing entirely new appliances, rewiring and installing the necessary infrastructure.
In general, the decision between choosing gas and electric appliances depends on the user's preferences and usage environment. For example, if frequent power cuts are encountered, using a gas stove is a better method.