Idea to Initiative: Induction Cooking

The Induction Cooking Market Transformation Initiative (MTI) focuses on electric cooktops and all-electric ranges using either induction or ENERGY STAR-rated radiant electric technology. While the radiant products are included at this time, the main focus of this MTI is induction cooking appliances. Resistance coil products are not included in this MTI. 

This product definition includes freestanding electric ranges, which can be installed between cabinets, or stand alone as well as slide-in electric ranges, which can only be installed between cabinets. Freestanding ranges typically locate cooking controls in an elevated panel at the back of the appliance, whereas slide-in ranges typically put controls in the front. 

Slide-in range (left) and freestanding range (right)

Photos credit: Whirlpool

This definition also includes 120V and 240V standalone electric cooktops designed for permanent installation in a countertop, as seen below. 

120V 2-burner True Induction cooktop (left) and 240V 6-burner Viking cooktop (right)

Photo credits: True Induction and Viking

Induction cooktops and ranges use electromagnetic induction in the cooktop portions of the technology to heat cookware directly. Induction cooking saves energy through instant, direct, and efficient heat transfer, and provides precise temperature control. 

Modern, efficient electric cooking appliances, including induction cooktops and ranges, offer improved indoor air quality and safety, cooking performance, energy savings, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction when compared to gas-fueled stoves and ranges found in most California homes and apartments. While ENERGY STAR-rated radiant appliances offer similar efficiency and GHG emission reduction benefits, induction cooking provides a superior cooking experience over radiant products, as well as significant safety and health benefits. 

Induction appliances use electricity to create electromagnetic fields that induce a current and heat cookware directly. Heat is generated by allowing a high frequency, alternating current to flow through a tightly wound coil of wire which generates a rapidly changing magnetic field at the surface of the cooktop.  

The resulting heat is only generated in a pot or pan containing ferromagnetic material. Since non-magnetic materials do not respond to the magnetic fields, nearly all energy generated is transferred to the cooking vessel. This technology eliminates the need for an open flame or exposed heating elements, making it both safe and more efficient.  

Cookware must be able to hold a magnet to work with induction’s electromagnetic heat transfer. Most pots and pans, including those with a ceramic coating, have the appropriate level of metal, such as iron or stainless steel. If a pan is pure copper or pure aluminum, it will not work on an induction cooktop, but such pans will work if they contain magnetized bases.  

Yes, induction and radiant cooktops remove gas, a key source of indoor pollutants. A 2013 meta-analysis found that children living in homes with gas cooking had a significant increased risk of developing asthma, with a 42% greater chance than their peers without gas.  

In California, where about 65% of homes have gas cooking appliances, we can estimate a significant number of individuals at risk. Since children under the age of 18 account for about 22% of California’s population, this translates to around 5.5 million children with a 42% increased risk of asthma compared to their peers without gas cooking. (1)

Furthermore, negative indoor air quality is generally inversely proportional to the size of the dwelling unit, meaning that smaller homes are at risk of bigger impacts. This is particularly relevant for multifamily dwelling units, which also suffer from shared exposure from others cooking with gas in the building. These constraints may create an additional indoor air quality burden for Environmental Social Justice communities in multifamily units.  

(1.) Lin W, Brunekreef B, Gehring U. Meta – analysis of the effects of indoor nitrogen dioxide and gas cooking on asthma and wheeze in children. Int J Epidemiol. 2013 Dec;42(6):1724 -37. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyt150. Epub 2013 Aug 20. PMID: 23962958.

Limited electric panel upgrades are a barrier to induction cooking installations when switching from gas cooktops and ranges to induction cooking.  

To overcome the cost of panel upgrades, this MTI is investigating opportunities for 120V induction appliances that utilize a battery to provide additional energy supply to the appliance when needed. Battery-equipped products are an emerging technology in this marketplace, but will be a key solution for building owners looking to electrify cooking appliances with minimal expense.

Photo credit: Copper

Market transformation (MT) works to remove structural barriers and enact strategic interventions to create lasting change in a market. MT theory is the broad conceptualization of how best to address those barriers in order to accelerate adoption of a targeted energy efficient technology or practice. The changes created by strategic interventions grow market share and pull adoption forward in time.

Figure 1 below shows the area between the Baseline Market Adoption and Total Market Adoption S-curves. The differential is the increase resulting from MT activities that deliver cost-effective energy efficiency, greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, or other identified benefits.​

Figure 1. Market Transformation S-curve

MT theory works to establish clear, measurable inputs and outputs that can be assessed over time. Logic models provide a valuable roadmap to visualize the entire process of market transformation in a comprehensive chart. They depict barriers that make market adoption difficult, opportunities that can be leveraged for development, strategic interventions that will break down barriers and the resulting outputs over time. In other words, logic models map out the MT theory. CalMTA uses logic models for its initiatives to ensure coherent program organization and clearly defined, measurable outcomes for evaluation.

Market transformation works by removing barriers through a variety of interventions. The logic model expresses a variety of moving – and dependent – parts into a single model. A carefully conceived initiative logic provides a tool for expressing and tracking program logic and is vital to successful market transformation.

Let’s take room heat pumps as an example. Our team identified ambiguous labelling as a barrier preventing consumers from making informed choices about buying a room heat pump. Some products meant to cool or heat a small space through heat pump technology lack clear identification as such. So even if consumers are interested in the efficiency of heat pumps, they are not able tell which products to choose. Without easily understandable labeling, heat pumps will most certainly struggle to find a place in the market.

A logic model not only identifies this barrier, but also any opportunities and interventions to remove it. In this case, federal testing procedures are in development for a new ENERGY STAR label. This is an opportunity to leverage strategic interventions by working with the ENERGY STAR program’s specifications and collaborating with manufacturers to ensure proper labeling of products. The projected outcomes of those interventions are included in the logic model as well. For example, this logic model seeks ENERGY STAR adoption of a new specification within two years and revised test procedures in place within three to five years.

CalMTA uses a stage gate model in its Market Transformation Initiatives (MTI) strategy and program creation. A three-phase process with end-phase stage gates (shown below) helps manage program risk, maximize the use of resources, and increase transparency in our work. Learn more about the process here.

Advancement Plan approval is the stage gate that culminates Phase I: Concept Development and the plan includes a preliminary logic model. After the research and investigation described in the Advancement Plan is complete, an updated logic model is developed for inclusion in the Phase II stage gate deliverable, the MTI Plan.  Click the link below to access the draft Induction Cooking draft logic model.