The conversation about moving from gas stoves to electric cooktops has been intensifying recently across social platforms. So what’s causing all the controversy?
In short, local and federal agencies are recommending — and in some cases offering financial incentives — for consumers to conserve energy by transitioning from gas-powered appliances to electric ones.
If you’re planning to buy a new stove or cooktop this year, it may be worth considering electric or induction ranges as more affordable and potentially safer options.
Why Are Homeowners Moving Away From Gas Appliances?
Abandoning gas stoves at home comes down to two primary issues. First, there are safety worries about burning gas in spaces with poor ventilation. Some research has connected health problems, including asthma, to higher levels of indoor air pollution produced by gas-burning appliances.
Second, unlike their electric counterparts, gas devices — such as ranges and cooktops — emit methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Researchers at Stanford estimate that U.S. gas stove use releases greenhouse gases equivalent to the tailpipe emissions of 500,000 cars every year.
“Although carbon dioxide is more abundant in the atmosphere, methane’s global warming potential is about 86 times as great over a 20-year period and at least 25 times as great a century after its release,” notes the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment’s 2022 report.
What Are the Advantages and Drawbacks of Swapping Gas for Electric?
When browsing appliances, many shoppers focused on efficiency stop at the Energy Star label. Gas ranges have long been touted as better for cooking and historically seen as more energy-efficient, so moving to an electric or induction stove might feel like a downgrade for serious cooks.
Below are the benefits and downsides of leaving gas behind and adopting electric cooking.
- Lower emissions and fewer indoor pollutants than gas
- Possible rebates and tax credits available
- Typically cheaper to operate than gas
- Reduced health risks
- Induction heats and cools more quickly
- May need an electrical service upgrade
- Professional installation if rewiring is required
- May necessitate purchasing compatible cookware
- Induction surfaces can be trickier to clean
- Electric elements can be slower to heat
The expense of converting from gas to electric hinges on whether your home requires an electrical upgrade to support a new stove. That said, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes a tax credit and rebates designed to lower the cost of electrical modifications for homeowners.
Can the Inflation Reduction Act’s Stove Rebate Lower Your Costs?
If you plan to replace a gas stove or even an older electric model soon, there’s good news. The Inflation Reduction Act offers rebates and tax credits for purchasing and installing energy-efficient equipment like heat pump water heaters, EV infrastructure and new electric appliances.
This extends beyond standard Energy Star rebates and covers electric and induction cooktops, ranges or stoves, and even wall ovens.
How Much Is the Rebate for Electric Appliances?
The law allocates $4.5 billion for electric appliance rebates and includes guidelines on how much homeowners can receive for qualifying purchases.
Qualifying homeowners may receive an $840 rebate for the purchase of an electric or induction stove, cooktop, range or oven — plus up to $500 to offset the cost of converting from natural gas to propane or electric.
If you need to upgrade your electrical service, rebates can cover $2,500 for wiring and $4,000 for a service panel (load service center) upgrade.
Am I Eligible for the Electric Appliance Rebate?
Before you swap out your gas stove, note that income limits determine rebate eligibility.
- If your household income is 80% or less of the local median family income, you qualify for 100% of the rebate.
- If your income is between 80% and 150% of the median, you’re eligible for 50% of the rebate.
- If your income is 150% or more of the area median income, you do not qualify for this rebate.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) data will be used to set area income thresholds. You can consult the HUD database to verify your eligibility.
Which Energy-Efficient Products Qualify?
The law is not extremely specific about every qualifying appliance and doesn’t explicitly forbid funds from being used in various ways.
For example, you might replace an older electric range with a more efficient electric model and still qualify for the rebate. Each state will have some discretion in how the rebates are administered.
Other eligible items include appliances that significantly boost efficiency, such as an electric heat pump water heater.
When and How Will the Electric Appliance Rebates Be Rolled Out?
The federal government has allocated funds for these electric appliance rebates, but implementation is left to the states. The U.S. Department of Energy has provided a general framework for the tax credits and rebates on its website.
While some state programs may take time to launch, the funding is available through 2031. It’s wise to wait for your state’s rebate rollout, but if you must purchase an electric stove or heat pump sooner, keep your receipts and monitor announcements.
Alex Mercer is a senior staff writer at Savinly covering personal finance and budgeting. Over the past decade, they have reported on a broad range of topics including money management, health, politics, education and tech.
