Healthy Home in the Desert

8/22/24

One of the changes we’ve experienced since moving into our new home in the Arizona desert is the switch to an all-electric setup. For most of our lives, we’ve lived in homes where natural gas was an option for everything from heating to cooking. We’ve had gas ranges, furnaces, gas dryers, and even gas fireplaces. But in this home, we’ve embraced an all-electric lifestyle—and surprisingly, we haven’t missed natural gas at all.

Opting for an all-electric home has significant environmental benefits. Electric power, especially when sourced from renewable energy like solar or wind, produces far fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to burning natural gas. By eliminating natural gas from our home, we’re reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to cleaner air. The environmental impact of reducing reliance on fossil fuels like natural gas is undeniable—less air pollution, reduced methane emissions, and a step towards a more sustainable future.

The biggest adjustment for us has been switching from a gas cooktop to an induction cooktop. For many people, cooking on gas is hard to give up—they love the immediate heat, the ability to see the flame, and the control it offers. I get it. I was one of those people who couldn’t imagine cooking on anything but a gas range. But after a year of using an induction cooktop, I can confidently say that I’ve become a big fan.

Induction cooking is incredibly precise, and I find that I have as much control over the heat than I did with gas. The cooktop uses electromagnetic energy to directly heat pots and pans, so the heat is instant and adjusts quickly when I turn the temperature up or down. Boiling water happens in a flash, which is great when I’m trying to get dinner on the table quickly. And yes, you do need magnetic pots and pans for induction cooking, but I haven’t found that to be a problem. There are so many high-quality options available, and I’ve enjoyed upgrading some of my cookware to match this new technology.

One of the best parts about the induction cooktop, though, is the cleanup. Because the surface doesn’t get as hot as traditional gas or electric cooktops, spills don’t bake onto the surface. It’s flat, smooth, and easy to wipe clean—no more removing heavy grates or scrubbing away burnt-on food. I have to say, that’s been a game-changer for me. Induction cooking has all the benefits of gas without the mess.

In this desert climate, we also don’t miss having a gas fireplace. With our home’s energy efficiency features, there’s no need for the extra heating. And as for our dryer, I honestly haven’t noticed any difference between a gas and an electric dryer—both get the job done just fine.

Our commitment to sustainability didn’t stop with our home. We were so inspired by the shift to an all-electric lifestyle that we decided to purchase an all-electric car. Now, instead of making trips to the gas station, we charge our car in our garage. I didn’t realize how much of a hassle going to the gas station was until we stopped having to do it. It’s been a small but delightful change in our routine.

Overall, going all-electric has been a smooth transition for us. Not only do we feel good about the positive environmental impact, but we’ve also come to appreciate the practical benefits—especially in the kitchen. Living sustainably doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or convenience. In fact, in many ways, it has improved our quality of life.