Out of Gas, In With Justice!
We know that low-income communities are exposed to disproportionally higher amounts of pollution. But did you know that some of that pollution exists inside your home, too? Studies show that gas stoves release high amounts of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, both of which are harmful to your health.
This program strives to make sure that those who live in affordable housing – right here on the West Side – can take advantage of this technology and receive these benefits. We can help you transition to this exciting new technology with ease and support.
Email Ashley DeMichele or call (716) 884-0356 x 210 today to learn more and get started.
What’s Wrong with Gas Stoves?
- Gas stoves harm our health! They leak pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide into your home.
- Nitrogen Dioxide impairs lung function, worsens asthma attacks for those who suffer. Children living in homes with a gas stove are up to 42 percent more likely to develop asthma, according to We Act.
- Carbon Monoxide is poisonous and can lead to death.
- Indoor air quality is not regulated. Most people spend most of their time indoors. Asthma rates and severity are higher for poor and working-class households and communities of color. If the amount of pollution that gas stoves can emit were found outdoors (and in the same concentration), it would be considered illegal!
The Solution
- Induction stoves are a great alternative to gas stoves:
- They do not burn gas.
- They cook faster and more evenly than electric coil stoves.
- They’re safer because they only transfer heat to pans and not skin.
- They heat more quickly than gas stoves.
- How do they work?
- Magnetic energy transfers heat to the pain below the stovetop surface.
- Any pan that’s magnetic will work with an induction stove. You’ll receive a set of pots and pans as part of the pilot program!
- They work a little differently so they take some practice – but are easy to use in no time!
Email Ashley DeMichele or call (716) 884-0356 x 210 today to learn more and get started.
What’s the Fine Print?
Glad you asked. Adding an air source heat pump and induction stove to your home will change the way you think about heating and cooling your home, as well as how you cook at home. We know these are important parts of your living conditions. Here are some things you might be wondering about:
- You must be a resident of PUSH affordable housing. Residents at School 77 and 417 Mass Ave. are not eligible for this pilot program, due to building specifications.
- The new equipment you receive may affect your utility bills, depending on your household. The pilot will reimburse residents if their utility bills are higher until we can install rooftop solar. Ask for details!
- Indoor air quality will be measured with a tool called the Home Health Box (HHB). The HHB measures particulates, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. PUSH will set up a time to set up the HHB. It will go in your kitchen, between 4 and 5 feet off the ground and plug into the wall. Your stove use will also to be measured to make sure changes in air quality are from the stove. Air quality will be measured three (3) times, for one (1) week each time.
The Bigger Impact: Climate Justice and Reform
To address the climate crisis, we need to dramatically reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are produced by the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal, and contribute to global warming.
In 2019, New York State passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), creating a legislative mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning from an economy powered by fossil fuels (decarbonization) to one that is powered by renewable energy. However, to achieve this we will need a fully electrified infrastructure (electrification) because renewable energy sources generate electricity.
Buildings produce the highest amount of greenhouse gas emissions. To be able to use renewable energy to power our buildings, we will need to transition to boilers, furnaces, water heaters, dryers, and stoves powered by electricity instead of fossil fuels.
Data collected from this pilot program will be incorporated into policy asks in Albany, where we can continue to effect real change. Passing the CLCPA was only the first step – now we must fight to fund and implement it!
Donors
PUSH Buffalo is partnering with WE ACT for Environmental Justice for this pilot. WE ACT is replacing 20 gas stoves with induction stoves in New York City.
Funding provided by Climate Imperative and the Kresge Foundation.
We are grateful for generous support from our donors.
