Methane and NO<i>_x</i> Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes

Abstract

Natural gas stoves in >40 million U.S. residences release methane (CH₄)─a potent greenhouse gas─through post-meter leaks and incomplete combustion. We quantified methane released in 53 homes during all phases of stove use: steady-state-off (appliance not in use), steady-state-on (during combustion), and transitory periods of ignition and extinguishment. We estimated that natural gas stoves emit 0.8-1.3% of the gas they use as unburned methane and that total U.S. stove emissions are 28.1 [95% confidence interval: 18.5, 41.2] Gg CH₄ year^-1. More than three-quarters of methane emissions we measured originated during steady-state-off. Using a 20-year timeframe for methane, annual methane emissions from all gas stoves in U.S. homes have a climate impact comparable to the annual carbon dioxide emissions of 500 000 cars. In addition to methane emissions, co-emitted health-damaging air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NO<i>_x</i>) are released into home air and can trigger respiratory diseases. In 32 homes, we measured NO<i>_x</i> (NO and NO₂) emissions and found them to be linearly related to the amount of natural gas burned (<i>r</i>² = 0.76; <i>p</i> ≪ 0.01). Emissions averaged 21.7 [20.5, 22.9] ng NO<i>_x</i> J^-1, comprised of 7.8 [7.1, 8.4] ng NO₂ J^-1 and 14.0 [12.8, 15.1] ng NO J^-1. Our data suggest that families who don't use their range hoods or who have poor ventilation can surpass the 1-h national standard of NO₂ (100 ppb) within a few minutes of stove usage, particularly in smaller kitchens.