The Push for Efficient, Healthy Cooktops
Hobs, also known as cooktops, are found in nearly every household, yet they lack proper scrutiny in terms of their nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions and energy efficiency.
The impact of gas cooktops on health and climate
- Gas hobs contribute to poor indoor air quality. CLASP and Jaume I University’s research shows that gas hobs emit levels of NO2, that exceed outdoor air quality standards in the EU and UK, which can be harmful to our health. Until now, gas hob manufacturers have been able to sell appliances without any consideration of the amount of NO2 they emit. Introducing new NO2 tests and limits for gas hobs will help reduce pollutants emitted into the kitchen and improve indoor air quality.
- The energy efficiency of gas hobs is also overestimated, in comparison to their electric counterparts. Gas and electric hobs are currently tested in different conditions, which could result in overestimated energy efficiency results for gas-fueled technologies. For example, gas hobs are tested using pots which are larger than those typically used in kitchens – a larger pot captures more heat from the flame, which results in better efficiency than if a smaller pot is used.
Without real-world and comparable electric and gas energy efficiency performance standards, it is impossible to accurately assess which appliances are best for human health and reducing climate emissions. CLASP’s research shows that more ambitious policies could cut emissions by 60Mt CO2 by 2050.
To help address these issues, CLASP has developed a new method to test gas and electric hobs that reflects how people cook and identifies potential technological improvements. This test method also satisfies energy efficiency and health-related concerns.
CLASP’s call to action for the European Commission and Member States
- Set NO2 emissions limits: Setting limits on NO2 emissions from gas hobs is critical for improving indoor air quality. CLASP encourages the adoption of a new emissions test, with meaningful limits, to ensure only the safest and cleanest appliances make it to the market.
- Introduce a comparable test method for gas and electric hobs: The European Commission should adopt an improved and comparable test method that provides a fair and accurate energy efficiency rating for gas and electric hobs. When these appliances are tested in the same conditions, consumers can better identify the best options which will in turn drive innovation within the industry.
- Transparency of efficiency and emissions data: Consumers and policymakers need open access to better information on how these products perform on energy efficiency and emissions. An improved common test method will ensure people can accurately and fairly compare the performance of different hob technologies. Energy and emissions data should be shared with the product specifications on product websites and in instruction manuals, and in a future energy label for hobs. This will allow people to make informed decisions about the products they purchase, and governments will have better data to develop more impactful policies.
- Take immediate action: CLASP emphasizes the need for swift policy adoption, application, and revision timelines. Slower timescales will result in missed opportunities to protect people’s health, reduce utility bills, and climate mitigation impacts. The European Commission should collaborate with national institutions and industry to collect data on emissions and energy efficiency to guide future policy revisions.
In the European Union, countries like Italy and Poland continue to rely heavily on gas cooking appliances. CLASP’s proposed policy changes could have a wide-reaching impact. Our latest research, based on consumer surveys conducted in eight European countries, shows that most Europeans believe manufacturers should improve product efficiency and reduce pollution emitted by hobs. Consumers also hold government responsible for supporting their transition away from gas to cleaner, electric cooking.

CLASP’s recommendations are backed by health and environmental organizations, including the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), the International Society of Doctors for the Environment Italy, and Respire. Organizations, like ECOS and the European Environmental Bureau, are working on improving standards and policies for cleaner, efficient, and sustainable cooktops, amongst other products, while EPHA is working towards policies for better indoor air quality.
CLASP and partners call on policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers to support these crucial changes for a healthier, more sustainable future.
For more information about CLASP’s research on gas and electric cooking, visit: https://www.clasp.ngo/cook-cleaner-europe/
Moving Towards Healthier, Efficient Electric Cooking: Consumer Perspectives from Eight European Countries
This CLASP report presents insights from surveys of 8,000 demographically representative adults across eight European countries, France, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The research provides valuable data for European policymakers on ways to accelerate the transition to cleaner, more efficient electric hobs (cooktops).
The report examines European consumers’ views and behaviours concerning gas and electric hobs, focusing on their usage, preferences, energy efficiency awareness, purchase criteria, health perceptions, ventilation practices, and opinions on potential policy measures.
Key Findings
- Most Europeans support a shift to cleaner, safer, and healthier electric cooking, but they need more exposure to induction technology to be fully convinced of its benefits.
- Supportive pricing and clear information are key factors in encouraging the transition to electric cooking, as consumers tend to prefer more energy-efficient and less polluting products.
- Consumers lack accurate information about the real efficiency of different hob technologies; their views are shaped by their personal experiences and familiarity with the hobs they use.
- Europeans have limited awareness of the impact gas cooking has on indoor air quality and often fail to ventilate adequately while cooking.
- Consumers feel that it’s the manufacturers’ responsibility to reduce pollution from gas hobs, and governments should help support the transition to more efficient and healthier electric cooking.
Recommendations
- Consumers should be able to select the most energy-efficient and least polluting hobs. Ecodesign regulations should remove the least efficient and most polluting options from the market. Clear information on the health risks of gas hobs should be made available through instruction manuals, webpages, or displayed on a future energy label or warning icon on hobs and ventilation hoods.
- National governments should offer incentives to encourage the shift to electric cooking and ensure that electricity prices are competitive with gas.
- Consumer organisations, non-governmental organisations, and forward-thinking producers and retailers should inform consumers about the health risks of gas cooking and the benefits of electric hobs. A successful transition to cleaner, more efficient electric hobs requires consumers to experience a new electric technology firsthand.
European consumers are ready for a shift to healthier, more efficient electric cooking, but to make this transition possible, people need clear information and supportive policies.Nicole Kearney
CLASP Europe Director
The surveys address technical, behavioural, and policy questions related to hob usage, which have been raised by policymakers, industry, and civil society. Detailed results for each country can be found in the annexes.
To ensure objectivity and representative results, CLASP commissioned Opinium Research, an independent polling organisation, to conduct the surveys. CLASP analysed the Europe-wide data and compiled this report, which builds on Opinium’s national analyses and findings.
Visit our Cook Cleaner Europe webpage to view additional resources on gas and electric cooking.
National Cooking Trends from Six European Countries: Insights and Policy Recommendations
Despite advancements in electric cooking technologies, millions of households across Europe still rely on gas for cooking. Gas cooking appliances contribute to high levels of indoor air pollution and pose substantial health, environmental, and economic challenges.
CLASP’s has produced incisive factsheets on gas cooking trends in six countries. These provide insights and policy recommendations, covering consumer trends, as well as health, environmental, and cost concerns in these countries:
The Risks and the Solutions
CLASP’s research reveals elevated levels of NO2 in homes using gas stoves and ovens compared to those using electric alternatives. These levels exceed benchmarks set by World Health Organization guidelines and European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) limits for outdoor air pollution.
- Health Impacts: Exposure to high levels of pollution is known to cause strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma.
- Climate Change: Gas cooking contradicts net-zero and emissions reduction targets, highlighting the need to transition to electric alternatives. The reliance on fossil fuels for domestic cooking contributes to indoor air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, undermining efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Consumer Trends: Despite health and environmental concerns, many consumers remain unaware of the risks of gas cooking.
- Cost Considerations: Gas cooking masks significant societal costs. While gas appliances may offer initial cost savings in some cases, the hidden costs associated with indoor air pollution, such as healthcare expenses and environmental impacts, outweigh any apparent economic benefits.
- Policy Recommendations and Regulatory Measures: In the EU and the UK, Ecodesign and Energy Labelling policies provide opportunities to advance energy-efficient and healthier electric alternatives. At the national level, governments can accelerate the transition to electric cooking through electricity tariff reforms, targeted subsidies, awareness campaigns, and holistic support. Incentives and financial assistance programs can encourage households to adopt electric cooking technologies, facilitating a shift towards cleaner and more sustainable cooking practices.
For more information on the topic, visit https://www.clasp.ngo/cook-cleaner-europe/.
Total Cost of Ownership of Domestic Gas and Electric Hobs in Europe
The use of fossil gas in cooking must be phased out to meet net zero targets in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK). Research shows that gas hobs emit harmful pollutants and are less efficient than electric hobs, although public awareness of these issues is low.
Upcoming policy revisions by the European Commission and the UK government offer an opportunity to address these challenges. However, the research available to policymakers does not consider differences in emissions and efficiency between appliance types, potentially leading to a lack of understanding of the costs and benefits associated with transitioning to electric hobs.
To address this knowledge gap, this report provides an overview of the total cost of ownership for gas and electric hobs in the EU and UK. The analysis assumes that these appliances are purchased and installed in 2026.
Findings include:
- Contrary to the perception of gas hobs being cheaper, electric hobs are more cost-effective in a few European countries, particularly in the Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden.
- All three electric hob technologies (hotplates, induction, and infrared) offer lower total costs of ownership than gas hobs, on average.
- The average purchase price of induction hobs remains higher compared to other technologies, but moderate government incentives can make induction hobs affordable to more households.
- In the UK, hotplates are the most affordable option. However, the total ownership costs of all three electric hob technologies are quite similar and significantly lower than gas hobs.
- Price fluctuations may impact the total cost of ownership over time.
Consumer study on the effects of the presence & location of the energy label in online shopping environments in Europe
The European Union’s energy label serves as a tool to inform consumer decisions on energy-efficient appliances. In collaboration with Centerdata and Ipsos, CLASP conducted a study in 2023 across four European countries — Italy, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom — to explore the impact of online energy label positioning on consumer decision-making regarding household appliances.
The insights found within this report, alongside additional evidence collected from retailers, suppliers, market surveillance authorities (MSAs), and technical assessments of barriers and opportunities will inform CLASP’s regulatory recommendations and the development of harmonized guidance documents for MSAs and retailers. The evidence gathered will help improve the energy label’s impact.
This report tackles the following questions:
- How does the proximity of the energy label to the product price (low vs. high) impact consumer decision-making on different web pages?
- How does the visibility of the energy label in an online store influence consumers’ decision-making?
- How do the presence and location of the energy label on product pages affect consumers’ purchasing decisions?
- Do consumers use online shopping baskets for product comparison, and does the presence of the energy label in the shopping basket influence their choices?
- Does the energy label impact consumer decisions on price comparison websites? Do consumers actively select products that are more energy efficient?
- How does the presentation of the web store (desktop vs. mobile) influence consumer choices?
CLASP’s study revealed several key findings:
- The exact position of the energy label within web store pages did not significantly affect consumer product choices.
- Consumer engagement with energy label information, such as clicking on energy arrows or viewing product information sheets, was minimal.
- The presence of the nested energy label next to products in shopping baskets and on price comparison websites promoted energy-efficient options and helped increase energy-efficient choices.
- The effects of the presence and position of the energy label on various web pages of a web store (main page, product pages, basket page) did not significantly depend on device type (desktop vs. mobile) used to complete the experiment.
The study’s findings highlight the importance of online energy labeling in guiding consumer choices towards more energy-efficient appliances. While the exact placement of the energy label may have limited impact, its presence in strategic locations within online retail settings can significantly influence consumer decision-making.
Electrifying Cooking for Healthier and Cleaner Homes
In our daily lives, an often-overlooked activity may be impacting our health more than we realize. When we burn gas in our homes, we’re not just preparing meals; we’re cooking up a cocktail of pollutants. These pollutants pose health risks, particularly for vulnerable individuals and those with pre-existing conditions like asthma, according to environmental health expert Frank Kelly, a professor at Imperial College London. Transitioning from gas to electric hobs and ovens can eliminate the health risks associated with gas combustion, Kelly said.
The field study
In 2023, CLASP, in collaboration with TNO and Opinium, carried out the largest indoor air quality study focused on gas cooking ever conducted in Europe to understand the extent of the problem. Researchers provided air quality sensors to 250 households across 7 European countries. Over two weeks, the sensors measured and recorded levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon dioxide, and particulate matter emitted in kitchens.
In kitchens equipped with gas stoves, researchers found that levels of NO2 often exceed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air quality guidelines and outdoor air pollution limits in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK). The study’s findings demonstrate the necessity to improve air quality in our homes, along with a critical need to inform people about the health risks associated with gas cooking and transition to cleaner cooking alternatives.
The hidden cost of cooking with gas
The repercussions extend beyond health; they’re also impacting our wallets. Each year, indoor air pollution related to gas cooking is estimated to cost the European Union around €3.5 billion and the UK government approximately £1.4 billion. These costs include lost earnings, decreased productivity, increased healthcare expenses, and missed educational opportunities.
A recipe for change
Professor Frank Kelly emphasizes that, given the wealth of information linking gas use to health issues and climate impact, “the use of gas is now outdated.” There is a pressing need for change. The most significant decrease in indoor concentrations of NO2 can be accomplished by making the switch from gas to electric cooking appliances. Accelerating the transition to electric cooking is identified by experts as the most effective solution, alongside raising awareness about the need for adequate ventilation.
To safeguard public health, action is required. Governments, industry leaders, healthcare providers, researchers, and individuals all have a role to play in reducing indoor air pollution related to gas cooking:
- Government: Policymakers across the EU and UK can help accelerate the transition to electric cooking by strengthening appliance standards and establishing energy labels for hobs that inform consumers about pollution levels.
- Industry: Manufacturers and retailers should privilege the production of electric cooking appliances, make the most efficient products more affordable, and discontinue the production of gas hobs and ovens.
- Civil society and healthcare: Advocates should raise awareness of the health risks associated with the use of gas cooking appliances.
- Research: By conducting further studies and fostering innovation, researchers can contribute valuable insights to guide policy decisions and technological advancements.
- On an individual level, adopting cleaner electric hobs and ovens is recommended to limit exposure to NO2. Ventilating kitchens during and after cooking is a simple, practical step toward mitigating the health risks associated with the use of gas hobs and ovens.
Our culinary choices carry significant health, economic, and environmental weight. Let’s make informed choices to protect our health and contribute to a cleaner future.
CLASP is working with governments to ensure they consider frameworks and incentives that encourage a transition away from gas cooking to electric alternatives.
For more information, visit https://www.clasp.ngo/cook-cleaner-europe/.
Gas Cooking Appliances Cause Regular Pollution Breaches in Homes across Europe
Brussels, Belgium – Cooking on gas regularly fills kitchens with air pollution above recommended levels, the largest-ever home monitoring study in Europe has found.
The World Health Organization (WHO) daily limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure was broken in most (57.3%) of the homes using gas hobs and/or gas ovens that were tested under normal living conditions by leading scientific researchers.
NO2 levels were found to be almost twice as high in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms in homes cooking on gas compared to those using electric appliances, on average. Breaches in 15.9% of homes using electric appliances were caused mainly by outside air pollution blowing in, the researchers say.
The research, commissioned by nonprofit energy efficiency group CLASP, was conducted by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Sensors were placed in 247 homes [1] in seven countries with large populations cooking on gas and childhood asthma cases linked to cooking on gas.
Breaching limit values increases health risks. NO2 can cause inflammation of human airways, coughing and wheezing, reduced lung function, and increased asthma attacks, especially in children. Children in homes with a gas cooking appliance have a 20% increased risk of suffering a lower respiratory illness, the WHO estimates.
Pollution spikes in homes cooking on gas could last several hours and were more intense the longer the cooking time, the researchers found. Added together, the WHO daily limit was breached for 3.25 days over the 13-day testing period, on average. Where kitchens had fans to extract fumes outdoors, they did not clear much pollution. This is because of improper use, the researchers think.
Extrapolating to a year, the data shows that a quarter of homes (25%) cooking on gas breached EU and UK hourly NO2 limits for outside air quality. Authorities across Europe have been forced to respond to breaches of these limits. Yet EU regulators have not set limits for indoor air pollution.
Little has been done to prevent NO2 pollution from gas cooking appliances in Europe, CLASP wrote in its report summarizing the research. Various regulations could limit air pollution from appliances, but fail to, it said. The problem could be corrected at EU level next year when new design and labelling rules are expected to be adopted.
At a stakeholder meeting with EU officials, initially set for 30 November 2023 and postponed until March 2024, CLASP will call for a new EU energy label comparing gas and electric hob efficiency and highlighting pollution levels.
Nearly a third (32.5%) of homes in the EU cook on gas. But few are aware of the risks due to the invisible nature of the pollution, according to a recent opinion poll commissioned by CLASP and conducted by Opinium. If made aware, up to three quarters of respondents (74%) say they would consider getting rid of their gas appliances.
Nicole Kearney, CLASP Europe Director, said: “Our research reveals the severity of air pollution caused by gas cooking appliances in homes across Europe. Cooking up a change starts with awareness. Empowering people with knowledge on the health risks of these products is essential, and they need resources to upgrade to cleaner and healthier hobs and ovens. In turn, governments must protect public health, tackling air pollution at the source and supporting the transition to cleaner cooking.”
TNO senior scientist, Piet Jacobs, said: “Based on our field study data we estimate that in about 25% of the European kitchens cooking on gas the EU NO2 limit value for 1-hour exposure is exceeded, where outside levels were below these values. Changing to electric cooking, preferably combined with use of well-designed ventilation hoods to reduce exposure to high levels of particulate matter from cooking, can bring these values down to below recommended levels.”
Professor Frank Kelly of Imperial College London said: “Gas hobs and ovens are a major source of indoor air pollution, including NO2, which can both exacerbate existing health conditions and potentially lead to new respiratory illnesses. For children with asthma, the presence of gas cooking appliances can intensify their symptoms. Removing these appliances from our homes will improve indoor air quality and mitigate potential risks to public health.”
The scientists also measured for fine particulate matter. In kitchens, this is caused by outdoor pollution blowing in and food cooking, rather than the appliance fuel source. The scientists found no significant difference in emissions between homes cooking on gas and electric.
Ends
CLASP Report – Clearing the Air: Gas Cooking and Pollution in European Homes
TNO Report – Health Effects in Europe from Cooking on Gas – Phase II Field Study
Press releases are available in the following languages:
Dutch, English (UK), English (US), French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Romanian, Slovak, Spanish.
Contacts
- CLASP Europe director Nicole Kearney (EN) +44 75 4486 5924
- CLASP Europe senior communications associate Païline Caroni (EN, FR) +32 473 127 674.
- ICL professor Frank Kelly (EN) +44 (0)20 7594 8098
- CLASP communications consultant Jack Hunter (EN) +33 751 051 805
- TNO press officer Maarten Lörtzer (EN, NL) +31 620420732.
About CLASP:
CLASP is an international nonprofit leading the research and promotion of appliance efficiency and energy access to improve the lives of people and the planet. CLASP works to combat climate change and drive the transition to a more energy-efficient and just future where no one is left behind. Headquartered in Washington DC, and based in Beijing, Brussels, Dehli, Jakarta and Nairobi, CLASP works with governments, appliance manufacturers and partners to advance positive change on a global scale.
Notes
[1] Market research firm Opinium selected 40 homes each in France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and the UK, where residents cook at least 3 days a week, are non-smokers, and are not near busy main roads or industrial plants. More than 40% of homes include children. One in 5 cook purely on electric, while 4 in 5 cook purely on gas, either ovens, hobs or both. In all homes, sensors were placed in the kitchen, living room and a bedroom to measure NO2, fine particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. Outdoor sensors detected NO2. Participants were told to cook and behave normally. Each was paid €100. Only data from 247 homes that successfully followed instructions over a 13-day period in 2023 were included. The previous largest EU study of exposure to NO2 based on continuous sensor data took readings from 16 homes.
Clearing the Air: Gas Cooking and Pollution in European Homes
Our research reveals the severity of air pollution caused by gas cooking appliances in homes across Europe. Empowering people with knowledge on the health risks of these products is essential, and they need resources to upgrade to cleaner and healthier hobs and ovens. In turn, governments must protect public health, tackling air pollution at the source and supporting the transition to cleaner cooking.Nicole Kearney
CLASP Europe Director
In collaboration with the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and Opinium Research, CLASP conducted a study across seven European countries in 2023 to assess the impact of gas cooking on indoor air quality. The research involved monitoring in-home air quality in gas- and electric-cooking households, collecting household and cooking behaviour data, and analysing indoor pollutant concentration levels.
The report tackles several critical questions:
- What are the levels of indoor air pollution in households with gas cooking appliances and how do they compare to households that cook with electric appliances?
- How do these pollution levels compare to established mandatory outdoor air quality standards as well as pollution levels recommended by the WHO?
- Is ventilation enough to mitigate the health risks linked with gas cooking, or is a transition to cleaner cooking technologies necessary?
The report’s key findings provide a compelling call to action:
- Gas cooking often results in indoor air pollution that exceeds WHO air quality limits, putting citizens at risk of severe health issues.
- Many households with gas cooking appliances exceed WHO air quality guidelines for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
- Electric-cooking households, in contrast, enjoy significantly better indoor air quality, free from NO2 pollution caused by kitchen appliances.
- Ventilation alone is insufficient to mitigate the pollution, necessitating a transition to cleaner electric cooking.
To safeguard public health, it’s essential to educate people about the health risks associated with gas appliances and provide them with resources to transition to cleaner and healthier cooking technologies. CLASP calls for collaborative efforts from governments, industry, civil society, healthcare providers, and individuals to improve indoor air quality across Europe.
Additional Resources
TNO Report: Health Effects in Europe from Cooking on Gas – Phase II Field Study
Executive Summary Translations
Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Romanian, Slovak, Spanish
Press Releases
Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Romanian, Slovak, Spanish.
Report Figures Available for Download
Figure 1. Gas cooking appliances directly emit harmful pollutants, whereas PM2.5 is emitted by the process of cooking food
Figure 2. Criteria for household monitoring selection
Figure 5. Comparison of average NO2 concentrations in gas- and electric-cooking homes
Figure 6. Average NO2 concentrations per country and per cooking method in different rooms
Figure 9. Average exceedance of WHO and EU/UK NO2 limit values in gas- and electric-cooking homes
Figure 10. Average number of exceedance days of the WHO daily guideline value during the 13-day measurement period
Figure 11. Highest hourly CO concentrations found in the kitchen, per country and per cooking method
Figure 12. Average PM2.5 concentrations in the kitchen, per country and per cooking technology
Figure 14. Overview of ventilation types recorded in the study
Figure 15. Comparison of average indoor-attributed NO2 concentration throughout the home, by cooker type
Figure 16. Average PM2.5 concentration in kitchen for all homes cooking on gas and electric hobs
Figure 17. Reasons for using ventilation in the kitchen: results from a 2023 CLASP consumer survey
Figure 18. Average NO2 concentrations in the Netherlands in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and outdoors
Figure 19. Map of gas- and electric-cooking households in the Netherlands showing NO2 levels
Figure 21. Average NO2 concentrations in Italy in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and outdoors
Figure 22. Map of gas- and electric-cooking households in Italy, based on severity of NO2 levels
Figure 24. Average NO2 concentrations in Spain in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and outdoors
Figure 25. Map of gas- and electric-cooking households in Spain, based on NO2 levels
Figure 27. Average NO2 concentrations in France in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and outdoors
Figure 28. Map of gas- and electric-cooking households in France, based on severity of NO2 levels
Figure 30. Average NO2 concentrations in Slovakia in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and outdoors
Figure 31. Map of gas- and electric-cooking households in Slovakia, based on severity of NO2 levels
Figure 33. Average NO2 concentrations in Romania in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and outdoors
Figure 34. Average corrected NO2 concentrations in Romania, taking into account higher levels of outdoor air pollution
Figure 35. Map of gas- and electric-cooking households in Romania, based on severity of NO2 levels
Figure 37. Average NO2 concentrations in the United Kingdom in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and outdoors
Figure 38. Map of gas- and electric-cooking households in the United Kingdom, based on severity of NO2 levels
Guidance Materials for Participating Households
Field Testing Equipment Overview
Field Testing Equipment Installation Guide
Household Recruitment Questionnaire
Instructional Videos for Participating Households: Dutch, English, Italian, French, Romanian, Slovak, Spanish
Visit our Cook Cleaner Europe page to view additional resources on gas and electric cooking.
Consumer Surveys Reveal Insights on European Perspectives of Gas and Electric Cooking
Key findings from the report include:
- A willingness to switch to electric for health reasons: The majority of respondents (ranging from 58% to 74% in different countries) would consider abandoning their gas cookers if they were aware of health issues associated with them. This highlights a significant opportunity to reduce indoor air pollution and protect public health through further awareness-raising activities.
- Safety perceptions: Consumers generally perceive electric cooking as safer than gas despite lacking full awareness of the health risks associated with gas appliances.
- Barriers to switching: Consumers view cost as a significant obstacle to transitioning from gas to electric cooking. Renters face additional challenges, with many reporting an inability to change to electric appliances.
- Public support for government intervention: An overwhelming majority of respondents (ranging from 77% to 88% in different countries) strongly supports government initiatives aimed at promoting electric cooking.
- Energy efficiency concerns: Consumers care about the energy efficiency of their cooking appliances but lack the tools to effectively compare gas and electric options. They strongly support the idea of an energy-efficiency label for hobs and ovens.
Further research and action are needed to overcome the barriers to electrifying cooking in Europe. Facilitating the transition to electric cooking, raising awareness of health risks, and implementing energy-efficiency labels can pave the way for healthier and more sustainable households.
Additional resources on gas and electric cooking in Europe
For media inquiries and more information, please contact
Païline Caroni
Senior Communications Associate (Europe) – CLASP
pcaroni@clasp.ngo
About CLASP:
CLASP is an international nonprofit leading the research and promotion of appliance efficiency and energy access to improve the lives of people and the planet. CLASP works with governments, industry, communities, and others to propel policies and markets toward the highest-quality, lowest resource-intensive products possible.
Consumer Perspectives of Gas and Electric Cooking: Evidence from Four National Surveys in Europe
Our latest surveys demonstrate that a substantial number of households in Europe would be ready to switch from gas to electric appliances if they knew about the health issues linked with gas cooking. CLASP’s research highlights the importance of raising awareness on the health impacts of cooking with gas and establishing an energy label for both gas and electric cooking appliances. By facilitating the transition to electric cooking, we can pave the way for healthier, safer, and more sustainable households.Nicole Kearney
CLASP Europe Director
While decades of scientific research have established a correlation between the emissions from gas cooking appliances and detrimental health impacts, the findings have not been widely circulated amongst the European public. As a result, misconceptions and misinformation about the safety, performance, and efficiency of electric alternatives remain widespread.
This report’s findings are drawn from surveys conducted among nationally representative samples of 3,000 adults in France, Romania, Spain, and 2,000 adults in the United Kingdom (UK). It offers European policymakers valuable insights into consumer perspectives on both gas and electric cooking appliances.
CLASP’s research questions address the following:
- Consumer use of and reasons for gas versus electric cooking appliances.
- Awareness of the health risks associated with gas cooking, and practices – such as ventilation – that can reduce risks.
- The importance of energy efficiency in major appliance purchase decisions and the value of a comparative energy label for gas and electric cookers.
- The level of support for government schemes to accelerate the transition to electric cooking.
Key findings of the report include:
- Variations in preference and usage of gas and electric cooking appliances are evident across countries, but also among distinct demographic segments.
- Cost emerges as a significant barrier for consumers, hindering the transition from gas to electric appliances. Renters wanting to switch to electric cooking appliances may face obstacles, despite their preference for such appliances.
- Consumers perceive electric cooking as safer than gas cooking, yet many remain unaware of, or indifferent to, the health risks associated with gas cooking appliances.
- Most respondents (58–74%) said they would consider getting rid of their gas cooker if they knew it was linked with health issues.
- Less than 20% of respondents across all countries indicated using ventilation to mitigate indoor air pollution when cooking.
- There is substantial public support for government initiatives aimed at promoting electric cooking in Europe.
- Consumers express a strong interest in the energy efficiency of their cooking appliances; however, they lack the means to effectively compare different types of hobs. Consumers strongly support the implementation of an energy efficiency label for both hobs and ovens.
While this report provides valuable insights, further research is needed to understand the barriers and opportunities for electrifying cooking across Europe.
Translations of the report’s executive summary are available:
- French: Résumé – Les perspectives des consommateurs européens sur la cuisson au gaz et à l’électricité : Preuves tirées de quatre enquêtes nationales
- Italian: Riepilogo – I punti di vista dei consumatori europei sulla cottura a gas ed elettrica – i risultati di quattro indagini nazionali
- Romanian: Rezumat – Perspective ale consumatorilor europeni în privința gătitului cu gaz și electric: Dovezi din patru sondaje naționale
- Spanish: Resumen – Perspectivas de los consumidores europeos sobre las cocinas eléctricas y de gas: Cuatro encuestas nacionales
Individual survey reports:
Visit our Cook Cleaner Europe page to view additional resources on gas and electric cooking.
