44 Comments

Thank you Sarah. This is timely as we are looking at replacing our ageing gas cooktop for all the reasons you talked about. We are in the process of getting quotes for cabling and switchboard upgrade and it is working out to be much more expensive than I anticipated (more than the cooktop itself. I hadn't done much research I must say). I was super excited to have gas cooking when I moved into our home 12 years ago. Needless to say the excitement has long gone...both my kids have suffered from asthma when they were little and I had no idea gas cooking could be responsible until a few years ago.

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It helps to understand you can pay off the stove in five years based on the energy savings...good luck!

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Gosh, I didn't know. Some knowledge is powerful isn't it versus ignorance.

LPG is safer and better for environment because it's propane and non-toxic? Methane is the problem one in natural gas that is piped into homes.

Thank you so much for sharing this information, Sarah. It's such a blessing for us all.

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Hey Ian, LPG is is safer in its unburned form (doesn't leak like "natural gas" does), but it is still a greenhouse gas once burned (used). Electricity is now the best option, but LPG for outdoor bbqs is probably still a viable option. I'll ask the Climate Council if they can chime in here...

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Thx, Sarah. That's useful. I'm thinking of purchasing a BBQ (or maybe I won't) and be curious which power/fuel source is best for environment. A solar grill - I wonder if they're available?

Bless ...

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Hi Estelle,

LPG is produced during ‘natural’ gas processing and crude oil refining. Gas extraction involves drilling and pumping chemicals deep underground, potentially disturbing and polluting aquifers, soil and oceans. Sourcing LPG produces CO2 that contributes to climate change. Oil combustion releases 12 billion tons of C02 and ‘natural’ gas releases 7.5 billion tons of CO2 into our atmosphere every year.

No fossil fuel is safe or sustainable. The great news is electric cooking is affordable, cooks great food and is better for our health and the planet.

Jessa from the Global Cooksafe Coalition

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Hi Sarah

Thanks for your insights.

We live rurally and use bottled gas and solar for our home energy needs.

May I ask you include in the cheat sheet an explanation between "natural" gas folk have connected into their homes and the bottled lpg gas we use. Is there a difference?

I just want to know if our situation is included in the umbrella term of gas.

I want to be able to clarify in an informed manner when some radio shock jock starts muddying the waters, 'cause they will try!

Kind regards

Lee

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Hey Lee, there is a difference. LPG is propane (not methane). See my comments above to Ian. And, yes, I often work to the idea, "what would I say to a shock jock!".

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Hi Lee,

LPG (liquified petroleum gas) and so-called ‘natural’ gas are both fossil fuels fueling the climate crisis. The main differences between them are their chemical composition. The bottled gas you might use for your BBQs is LPG and is extracted from refining crude oil or ‘natural’ gas and is typically propane or a mixture of propane and butane. So-called 'natural' gas is piped into homes, and businesses and the primary component of 'natural' gas is methane which is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term. Gas retailers refer to it as 'natural' gas because it sounds better for marketing, but it also goes by other names, such as coal seam gas (CSG) or shale gas, depending on where or how it has been extracted.

Jessa from the Global Cooksafe Coalition

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Thanks Sarah. It's a bit price challenging. 1. Stove swap = $3000 ish.

2.Heat pump swap from gas hot water in Victoria is about $2800 even with rebates.

I have been researching for a while and struggling to get clear information on options without being bombarded with "buy now, last chance, sign up today" ads.

Any advice here.

Cheers Rick

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If we go ahead with this mad campaign, I'll delve into this. For know - the Climate Council's report shows these upfront costs pay for themselves in a number of years due to energy bill savings. I'll see if someone can dig up some more info for you ...

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Interesting! My MIL is a building plans examiner in the U.S. and she said her state (WA) was phasing out the gas, too! Then there was a rowdy debate about cooking over gas or electric, lol....

thanks for the info - we rent, but open the windows a ton for fresh air

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I think it will be chicken/egg, horse/cart thing. More nations/states will outlaw as more of us buy electric appliances. In ten years we will look back and wonder why we thought it so odd! Like that Schopenhauer quote: Truth Passes Through Three Stages: First, It Is Ridiculed. Second, It Is Violently Opposed. Third, It Is Accepted As Self-Evident

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There are some good resources that provide further info on switching from gas to electric. My Efficient Electric Home (MEEH) on Facebook plus Renew/ Sanctuary magazines.

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I will continue to share more of these resources.

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Our rental is a gassy mess! But, I have found myself an electric frypan on marketplace (also a vintage fabric cover that fits) and this and our electric bbq are going to do a bulk of our summer cooking. Wish us luck!

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Slowcookers are also readily avail on Marketplace etc.

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Goodness! With a littlie who is experiencing asthma and allergies - I’m wondering if this might be part of the problem! To take your question and ask you to answer it:

What can I do if my kid has asthma and I can’t rip out my gas stove “yet”? But also, can I somehow test to see if the gas IS part of the problem/underlying cause?

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I'll see if someone can answer this for you/us!

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GEEEZZUSSSS

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Thank you so much for the work you are doing :). This is all very fascinating.

When I recently renovated my kitchen, I looked to building biologists for advice. Gas was recommended over induction due to the high level vibrating currents that induction cooking created. I'm just interested to know if you have come across any of this information in your research. Thank you.

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Hmmmm, that's really interesting. I've had a building biologist in (years back, for a story) and she recommended induction over gas. If you're concerned you can still opt for straight electric.

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Interesting indeed - more research needed on my part. Thanks for the response.

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This is terrific information. Thank you!

I am moving rental in the next 3 months and I was favouring gas over electric. (Because gas hot water runs forever & electric stoves tend to be rubbish)..

This article inspired me to look beyond.

Thank you for your consistent & persistent work in bringing these sorts of things to us in entertaining & implementable ways.

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And have a think about the other tips - the portable induction and using a kettle etc.

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Yes, thank you

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Hi Sarah, I converted to all elec last year. Everything you are saying is correct, but there are hidden eztra costs too. Actually removing the gas connection can cost up to $900. I just opted to get it turned off, but I keep getting offers to get it turned back on.

Worst was finding out that the electrical wiring in my 1980s kitchen was not suitable for the induction stove I wanted, and so a big rewiring job had to take place... another $4,000. Overall, with appliances and elec work it was about $15000.

Now the good. I also have 6kW solar panels and elec boosted solar hot water. . Throughout winter in cloudy Melbourne, my monthly elec bill averaged about $35... THAT IS PER MONTH IN WINTER! Heating too. Wow. Last summer... no bills for 4 months. I am amazed!

Cheers

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Hi Sanja,

The Climate Council has just completed a detailed report showing that switching out gas-fuelled home appliances saves up to $1,900 a year in energy bills (see here: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/switch-and-save-how-gas-is-costing-households/) They also found that the cost of buying new electric appliances like induction stoves can be recouped in as little as five years. In some instances, there may be additional costs to upgrade old electrical connections but this could create an opportunity to improve the safety and reliability of homes with older electrical cables and connections. Check out the Climate Council’s nifty calculator (https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/home-appliance-savings-calculator/) to show individuals how much they can save on their bills and cut pollution by switching appliances.

It’s also well worth checking if you can get government support to help cover the costs of running safer, more energy efficient appliances. In the ACT for example, the Government currently offers interest free loans of up to $15,000 for households in the Territory to invest in cleaner appliances through the Sustainable Household Scheme. (https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-programs/sustainable-household-scheme)

Jessa from the Global Cooksafe Coalition

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Thanks so much for this Sarah. Furious I didn't know re health effects on children :( Any info on good options for electric hot water systems? We've had the instant gas ones for so long and it seems so efficient compared to the old huge cylinder of water that's got to get kept hot all day just in case! Would love any leads on good options

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Thanks Jessa, all good info and I appreciate you taking the time to clarify the differences. Regards Lee

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You are doing a cracking job of keeping on top of this. Organised chaos!

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I understand that councils will now reconsider allowing new builds and retrofits without fireplaces, to allow installation of suitable wood burners etc. Interested to see whether this is true. We who installed 'clean' gas for heating and cooking, not that long ago, but now considering shifting back.

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