For years, Ed Yaker, treasurer of a New York City co-op, has dealt with gas leaks that can leave residents without a stove for months. He was enthusiastic about Copper, a California startup manufacturing an electric induction stove that plugs into a regular outlet. This sleek, four-burner stove operates on 120 volts, eliminating the need for costly rewiring to 240 volts.
The stove offers health benefits as well. Gas stoves, used by 47 million Americans, emit pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and benzene, which are linked to asthma and cancer. Environmental scientist Rob Jackson notes that gas stoves leak methane even when off, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions comparable to half a million gasoline-powered cars.
Induction stoves are up to 90% efficient, significantly higher than gas stoves, which lose about half their heat to the surrounding air. The Copper stove includes a smart battery that charges during low-rate periods, allowing cooking without peak-rate charges.
While the Copper stove is expensive, early adopters benefit from government incentives. Yaker’s stove cost $6,000, reduced to $4,200 with a federal tax credit. The New York City Housing Authority plans to purchase 10,000 stoves by 2026, and Eden Housing in California has retrofitted one building with these stoves.
Some users find the transition challenging, noting differences in cooking and the need for compatible cookware. However, Jackson emphasizes the importance of switching to electric stoves to reduce personal greenhouse gas emissions. — news from The Associated Press