Is cooking with gas a decision any of us should be critical of?
Whether there is growing concern? Approximately 5 million Australian homes are connected to reticulated gas and another 2 million have LPG. (Industry assessment). Other sources suggest this growth has slowed.
In context, is the total amount of reticulated natural gas or bottled LPG consumed by a gas cooktop significant when compared to?
- the volumes of these gases consumed for other household purposes,
- the quantities of fuel consumed by our motor vehicles,
- or the fossil fuels used in electric power generation.
Is there a need to be most concerned about the more significant environmental Green House Gas emissions and the combustion byproducts that affect the health of every one?
For a new build making an informed decision about cooking and energy is important. There are options that can be considered and costed. Gas excluded, there are numerous options/scope to suit our varying needs or preferences.
For those in an established home cooking with gas, there are many other decisions that could be made to deliver a better return for our dollar. Judged on the very small impact on the environment relative to likely outlay.
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In particular:
1/ What are the health concerns to gas cooktops, and are they riskier than other set-ups?
This has had a long community discussion previously.
There are health implications from burning any substance or using any chemical (air scents, insect sprays, paint) in the home. Cloths fluff/lint, mould, dead hair and skin particles are some of the most common contaminants in homes. Particulates from car exhausts and vehicle road contact are another.
With a gas cooktop a properly installed exhaust hood can manage any residual risk. The others most of us accept and live with every day.
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2/ What are the environmental concerns, and what are the alternatives?
The average household in Australia contributes 7 tonnes of CO2e to Australia’s annual GHG emissions (70 Mt of a total of 540 Mt annually). Of that 7 tonnes approx 75% is due to emissions from fossil fuels used to produce electricity.
We have a gas cooktop, and bottled LPG now. Also in our previous home. Experience with a small family a gas cooktop will consume as little as 10-15 kg annually. Our current 2+ person home consumes 100-120kg pa LPG for all HW, Oven and Cooktop. (0.16 - 0.19 t pa CO2e)
The average passenger vehicle in Australia emits 165 g/km CO2e, or for the annual average of 12,000 km, 1.98 t pa. Note many households have 2 motor vehicles.
A typical Aussie home consuming 6000kWh of electricity from the grid causes 5.4t of emissions annually (at 900 kg/MW CO2e).
Gas consumption in a home, heating excluded is not significant compared to other energy sources, or compared to other, dirty sources of environmental emissions.
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3/ Are there any other pros or cons to gas cooktops that should factor into the discussion?
Cooking is very much about individual preferences. The choice of cooking styles, ingredients and utensils differ. Are we at a point where one half of the nation should be influencing the other half on what type of cooktop to use? Is it critical to the future of the nation?
I can only suggest that the backyard fire pit, or outdoor BBQ, pole type gas heaters, and wood fired pizza ovens all offer similar levels of environmental and health risks. A properly designed and ventilated gas cooktop, and oven optional, are safer and more efficient.
In asking about gas cooktops, we need to expand the question to include all of the above, or defend our hypocrisy. Choice might need to discontinue recommending a certain BBQ product and only review electric. Hopefully a well considered option. Irrespective of how pathetic a product they might be?
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For the Future?
There are many alternative sources of gas fuels that can be provided from carbon neutral sources, and or green energy.
I’m not convinced that the future of the great Aussie BBQ or Chefs kitchen is all electric. Perhaps Tesla will add a drop down electric grill to the Cyber Truck to prove me misguided?
