Really want a vintage gas range but afraid....

[sarahperdue]

Gas vs Electric

This seems to be one of the most contentious arguments here on AW. Let's please play nicely when discussing this?

Gas vs electric has a lot to do with price, location and preference at this point.

Sixty percent of the electricity in the US is still produced by burning fossil fuels. That energy may be "clean" where you plug your device into the wall, but the production is not clean. Even though fossil fuel power generation plants have better emissions scrubbing devices than home appliances, there is still the carbon footprint and the loss of efficiency over transmission lines.

Some of the renewables have their own environmental impact and issues. Solar involves the production of photovoltaic panels and batteries. Electric cars also require the production of batteries. These have their own environmental impacts.

So, electricity might be a cleaner choice in areas where it is generated by renewables, but all electric power is not cleaner.

Sarah

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/electricity-in-the-us.php

 

[bradfordwhite]

Tim

"4WD truck is NOT stupid"

 

I just read your post in the weather section.  I believe you.  All that ice and snow.

 

I was referring to the majority of urban/suburban cowboys who's vehicle's have only left pavement to pull of onto a shoulder on the freeway to change a flat.

 

Remember, Tesla's have 4 wheel drive, too.  Two independent motors.

 

  

 

 

 

[bradfordwhite]

And there are numerous charging options ....even in Maine.

https://www.plugshare.com/directory/us/maine/bangor

 

[bradfordwhite]

I think you're correct Sarah

"This seems to be one of the most contentious arguments here on AW."

 

I've noticed that too.  It's funny how some subjects that are important just go under the radar when they should get attention

But then others, that information about them is clearly out there, get a lot more attention as if for some people they'd never heard of the subject.

 

[askolover]

Wait til a person has to replace the battery in a Prius, Leaf, or Tesla........grab your ankles and hold on!

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Mining for those batteries isnt the most environmentally friendly procedure either. But they mostly come from China and the Chinese govt  doesnt care about its own people let alone the planet.

 

[bradfordwhite]

batteries are GOLD. Everybody wants them.
It's just like the way computers and internet was in the 90s and 00s.

Making the awesome electric vehicles is not a problem, ...but for the shortage of certain components right now.

We have to remember this is the newest and best technology.

-----

The 'it's not 100% clean manufacturing' excuse ......so I'm just going to stick with the terrible stinky petroleum garbage;
doesn't work.

 

[bradfordwhite]

oops

Yet ANOTHER building explosion. 1 person dead, 9 injured, 3 buildings damaged beyond repair, others damaged.

It's only going to get worse. Those pipes are aging and rusting as we speak.
All it takes is one rusted spot or hair line crack....
in ANYONES neighborhood or home.

 

[weed30]

More Questions re: range installation

Please disregard dirty floor behind the range

 

I haven't had the vintage range installed but need to make sure there is a shutoff valve there.

 

Left photo:  Is the red thing the gas shutoff? I am pretty sure it is but can't really see if it has the small part that sticks out so you can shut it.

 

Right photo: I am surprised to see a white pipe coming out of the floor that feeds the gas.  I thought it was supposed to be a metal pipe; maybe it is PE or similar?

 

[bradfordwhite]

It looks like a gas valve but it's difficult to say for sure.

 

The pipe may be painted metal.

 

[weed30]

Thanks, that look like it. I'll see if I can pull the range out further to get a better look. <span style="font-size: 8pt;">(and maybe clean a little - ha.)</span>

 

[mattl]

I would replace the gas flex line when you swap ranges as good practice.

 

[weed30]

@mattl: definitely plan on doing that, thank you.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Those gas exolosions: Seems like only such big metropolitan areas get them....

Somehow nowhere near as common in suburban areas such as mine...

Also we tone to get our streets dug up just about yearly, so somehow I would figure that just must be how our gas lines get inspected and maintained...

And those pipelines must be doing well, because there hasn't been even one shut off or interruption of our gas service...

-- Dave

 

[bradfordwhite]

Dave, we have to remember the population density in an urban area is more than suburban or rural so the propensity for more activities of any kind involving people are more likely.

But gas explosions can happen anywhere. Those living in rural areas aren't immune because the large diameter gas delivery lines cut through the country to get from one metro to another.

As much as I dislike gas for safety reasons; the work involved to dig up thousands of miles and install fragile pipelines is incredible and impressive. It's just not safe.

That's why it's important to understand WHAT is buried in your street. You may well be living right next to a utility easement that has a gas line of significant diameter buried. Not to mention other utilities like high voltage lines or a major water line. All have health risks and if several are buried near by and there is a disaster it can be nightmarish.

 

[sudsmaster]

I bought this 1941 home back in '97. It had a functional gas water heater, and a forced air gas powered central heating system. I'm about the third owner. The second owner remodeled the place in the '60's, adding a master bed/bath to the rear, converting a bedroom to a family room off the kitchen, creating an enclosed bricked in patio on the side with a second kitchen, etc.

The one change the previous owner made that I didn't like was when they remodeled the kitchen, they made it all-electric. I'm certain the original home had a gas kitchen. One of the first things I did was hire a plumber to extend the gas line to the all-electric cooktop area, and then I replaced the electric cooktop with a gas unit. The wall oven is still electric, though. That's OK.

About a year and a half ago I lost most of my sense of smell (no, not from covid). One of the first things I did was to get one of those Kidde combo CO/Explosive Gas alarms. My sense of smell is gradually returning but I don't know if it will ever be what it once was. Anyway, the CO/Explosive Gas detector helps me sleep better, LOL.

Yes, gas is cheaper than electricity here. However, the latest gas bill shows it at $2.02/therm for "Tier 1", and at $2.50 for "Tier 2". I recall someone stating their gas cost them about $1/therm. Everything seems more expensive here in Cali. Fortunately the biggest gas use is in winter for the central heating. Around April-May that will be done. I hope. The price for natural gas here has gone up 25% (Dec 2020-Dec 2021) in one year!

 

[weed30]

@sudsmaster - I'll definitely be getting a few of those detectors - I should have them already! My gas co has a $22 "customer fee" plus the therm cost and it works out to .99/therm. I think. They make it hard to decipher the bill of course. I have all gas - range, water heater, dryer. If I could I would do a gas cooktop and electric wall oven like you have. Best of both worlds IMO.