Induction Cooking 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Silicon Valley Clean Energy Customers
For many, the kitchen is the cornerstone of their home. Cooking unites families at the end of long days and allows us to bring loved ones’ memories into the present through food. Yet the impact of cooking over a gas stove can lead to more harm to your household than good. To blend tradition with modernity, induction cooking provides a safer, healthier, and more efficient way to prepare your favorite recipes.
How Does Induction Cooking Work?
An induction cooktop generates heat through the process of magnetic induction. Unlike traditional electric stoves that use coils to transfer heat, induction creates a magnetic field that directly heats the compatible cookware. This results in a powerful and precise cooking experience with no wasted heat escaping to the sides of the pot or pan.
Since induction only heats the cookware, induction is safer—towels, papers, hands, won’t conduct heat and burn on the surface. To ensure compatibility, use a magnet; if it sticks, the cookware is suitable for induction. With this efficient heating process, induction cooktops allow for precise temperature control and minimize fire hazards since they don’t produce heat themselves. Click here to see a live induction demonstration!
What Rebates and Financial Incentives Are Available for Induction Cooktops?
From do-it-yourself to done-for-you, Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) offers rebates and services to upgrade your home with high-efficiency electric appliances. You can receive up to $750 in SVCE rebates for an induction cooktop or range, plus a $250 rebate for induction cookware.
Options for Upgrading to an Induction Cooktop:
- Option 1: DIY or Contractor Installation. If you already have a contractor or prefer to install an induction cooktop yourself, reserve your rebate before the new equipment is installed and claim your reimbursement through the SVCE Home Rebates program.
- Option 2: Need help finding a contractor and getting quotes? If you need assistance in finding a contractor and stacking rebates, use the free SVCE Assisted Home Upgrades tool. This free service allows you to request project quotes from multiple contractors and apply for all eligible rebates with a single application—all in one convenient place.
Are Induction Cooktops Better Than Traditional Gas Stoves?
If a rebate on an induction cooktop wasn’t enough incentive, induction cooktops outperform traditional gas stoves in terms of safety, health, performance, and efficiency. By going electric, you eliminate combusting gas directly in your home thus reducing a source of indoor air pollution comparable to second-hand smoke. Click here to learn about your neighbors’ experiences with induction cooktops!
What are the environmental benefits of induction?
Induction cooktops provide significant environmental benefits by eliminating the need to burn gas, which reduces reliance on fossil fuels that contribute to pollution. This transition aligns with statewide goals to decrease dependence on gas and promote clean electricity generated from renewable and carbon-free sources. By choosing induction cooking, we can actively help reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
Are there health benefits to induction?
Investing in an induction cooktop is not just a kitchen upgrade; it’s an investment in your health. Trading in your gas appliances for electric appliances eliminates harmful toxins in your home. In fact, a 2023 Stanford University study found that using a single gas burner on high or baking in an oven set at 350ºF can raise indoor benzene concentrations to levels higher than those found in second-hand smoke.
The airborne particulate matter released when cooking on a gas stove is associated with various respiratory illnesses, including asthma. By reducing these toxins, you and your loved ones will breathe cleaner air, resulting in significant health benefits, enhanced daily well-being, and reduced healthcare costs. One study estimated that improved air quality would be “equivalent to approximately $3.5 billion in monetized health benefits for just one year.”
How convenient is it to switch to induction?
Due to the induction cooktop’s efficient heating and cooling technology, you spend less time using it. For instance, boiling water is 2 to 3 times faster than a gas stove and maintains a precise temperature. You can still cook those recipes passed down from generation to generation. Gas won’t stop your families’ tamaladas, tomato canning, traditional stews, or other yearly cooking customs. Afterwards, you can enjoy your newfound time with the induction cooktop’s simple cleanup. So, you never have to say goodbye to your best chef practices. This way, you can concentrate on what really matters, the food and the people you share it with!
What are the next steps you can take to make the switch to induction?
- A diverse selection of induction cooktops and ranges is available, featuring various sizes, price points, and configurations to accommodate your cooking needs. Making the switch to induction doesn’t mean you need to completely give up gas. A portable induction cooktop, especially for eco-conscious renters, may be a better option, as it partially covers your stove. Find the best fit for you and your home here, and delicious recipes to try cooking on it.
- If you are still deciding whether to switch to induction, you can always try it first. Visit the select locations to borrow an induction cooktop: Sunnyvale Public Library Cool Cooktop Kit, Morgan Hill Induction Cooktop Loaner Program, or the PG&E Induction Cooktop Loaner Program.
- Once you have selected the best induction cooktop for your home, you can proceed with installation. Whether you DIY or work with a contractor, you are eligible for SVCE rebates. You can complete the rebate application here to save up to $750 today!
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