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Your next dinner could pose a serious health risk, and it might have nothing to do with the food you're making. If you're cooking with a gas stove, you are
likely filling your home with harmful air pollution.
Luckily, there are solutions to this toxic problem. This week, we're diving into
gas appliances and how you can avoid the potential health risks.
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THE BIG FIX
Gas appliances could be polluting your home — but a few simple upgrades could save you tons of cash
Natural gas sounds harmless, but
new studies show that isn't the case. When burned, natural gas produces nitrogen dioxide and benzene, among other toxic gases. Nitrogen dioxide has been
linked to asthma, particularly in children, while benzene is known to cause cancer.
The sooner you replace
gas-powered products, the less air pollution is expelled in your home. You may be tempted to wait until your current appliances break down, but updating them before that happens ensures you're not left in the cold waiting for a replacement.
Plus, there are some pretty massive savings involved in upgrading. Here are some appliances you might want to swap out:
- Oven/stove: Induction stoves are safer and more energy efficient than gas stoves and are available for up to
$840 in tax rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Furnace: Heat pumps can heat and cool your home by moving heat in and out of your house. You could save nearly
$700 on energy bills annually and the government could soon pay you up to $10,000 for installing one.
- Water Heaters: Heat pump water heaters can save you $330 a year on energy costs and are eligible for up to
$2,000 in tax benefits.
While gas appliances inside your home are a more urgent health concern, updating outdoor gas products is also a healthy choice for you and the environment. From
lawnmowers to
BBQ grills, electrifying your life will drastically reduce the air pollution you create.
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WHERE TO START
This ultra-fast portable burner is the easiest, cheapest way to replace your gas-powered stove
If you live in an apartment or replacing your gas range isn't in your budget,
there are low-cost options to reduce the air pollution in your home caused by a gas stove.
The Duxtop
Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner is our top choice — and not just because the word "top" is in the name three times.
It heats up quickly, so it's perfect for boiling water, and it’s great for quick, one-pan meals. It doesn't have an open flame or heating element, so it's safe and easy to clean up food spills. You do need
induction-compatible cookware, which you may already have, so check that first.
The products recommended in TCD Home Edition are selected in partnership with
Electrify Now, an organization dedicated to helping Americans improve their lives by upgrading to high-efficiency electric products and clean energy sources. You can see more of their resources
here.
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ONE EASY HACK
An experienced gardener just shared a hassle-free hack for keeping weeds out of your garden
Ridding your garden of weeds can be an annoying aspect of an otherwise delightful hobby.
Some people turn to toxic chemicals or the tedious task of pulling them by hand, but one
experienced gardener shared
an easy way to suppress weeds and help the soil.
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YOU ASK → WE ANSWER
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We need to replace our water heater but can’t decide what to get. Are tankless heaters better than heat pump options?
– Alyssa P.
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Hey, Alyssa!
Great question. The answer kinda depends on what you want from your water heater.
Heat pump water heaters take heat from the surrounding air and use it to heat the water in the tank. Since they don't generate heat by burning gas, heat pumps are incredibly energy efficient. As mentioned above, one can save you $330 on annual energy costs.
Tankless water heaters are much different. For one, they're much smaller since there is no tank holding the water. They use either gas or electricity to heat water on demand, which means no more running out of hot water in the shower.
However, they tend to have a limited flow rate, so if you're showering and running the dishwasher at the same time, neither will be super hot.
Tankless heaters can be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than traditional storage tank options, so they can save you up to
$110 a year on your energy bill. They're also eligible for a tax credit of up to $600.
Both are better options than traditional gas water heaters, so either way, you're making a solid upgrade. Good luck, Alyssa!
– Nick from TCD
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