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Homeowners have long favored gas stoves over electric; real estate pros often list a six-burner gas stove as a kitchen upgrade. But lately, they’ve been coming under fire.
In case you’ve missed the controversy, a member of the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently suggested a ban on gas stoves, calling them a “hidden hazard” in the home. The CPSC has since backtracked those comments but says it plans to probe the hazards associated with gas stoves. Recent studies have linked emissions from gas stoves to asthma and other respiratory conditions, particularly in children.
So, if gas stoves lose popularity, what will replace it?
Induction cooktop stoves, which use electromagnetic fields to heat up the pot but not the cooktop itself, are expected to become the new trend. Induction cooktops are touted as a safer, faster and more energy efficient way to cook. Also, they’re marketed as being better for indoor air quality than a gas stove.
With an induction cooktop stove, you can shorten the time it takes to bring a pot of water to a boil by four minutes, according to Consumer Reports. Also, its smooth, flat cooking surface is easier to keep clean.
But induction cooktops can be pricey—anywhere between $2,000 to $9,000—and many homeowners say they had to pay even more to get extra electrical wiring completed before installation. Further, the appliance works only with certain pots, so owners may need new kitchenware as well.
Listen to the “Hot or Not?” segment of a recent episode of Real Estate Today to learn more about this trend.
