The Growing Ban on Gas Stoves

  • Gas Stoves Under Scrutiny
    Are you aware that some places are starting to ban gas stoves in homes? Even the expansion of this idea is going beyond states like California, Washington, Oregon, and New York. According to recent news, a federal agency says a ban on gas stoves is on the table because of concern about health problems inside homes.
  • Impact on the Construction Industry
    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission plans on taking action to basically ban gas stoves, making them an unsafe product that you can’t install or sell. How’s that going to affect the remodeling market? The new home market? Is it going to make it harder or easier to build homes? Is it better for you, as a builder and contractor, to build a house without gas and only with electrical options?
  • Proposed Measures
    One of the options on the table is barring the manufacturer or import of gas stoves. That’s what they’re talking about at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. They’re talking about getting lawmakers involved and asking the commission to consider warning labels and performance standards. Some states have already done it. California, New York, and Washington State—they’ve expanded this to a nationwide ban on gas stoves, which would be a big deal.

The debate continues.

  • Commercial Implications
    They’re even looking at doing this in commercial environments. Commercial kitchens can’t use gas stoves in some places. Nearly a hundred cities and counties have already done this. The New York City Council voted to ban natural gas hookups in new buildings smaller than seven stories. So this is something that is not brand new. If anything, it’s getting more traction and gathering more momentum.
  • Opposing Views
    The argument that the other side makes is that the National Home Appliance Council says that it doesn’t matter what kind of stove you have; there’s still emissions when you cook. Bacon, for example, emits smoke whether cooked on a gas or electric stove. They argue you still have to have a hood, a fan, and everything else. The arguments are on both sides. The question is, what is the right answer?

Builders’ Perspective
From a building and contractor point of view, what is your opinion? What do you think should happen from the standpoint of the construction or remodeling of residential properties?