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I'm 52 years old, and I haven't had a house with a gas stove since 1992.
In 2007, we bought an old house in Norfolk and we just NOW got the gas meter and gas lines installed, and last week, our new gas stove was delivered.
And I LOVE IT.
I've noticed that you never see gas stoves in new construction (in the mid-price range anyway), and I'd say that 80% of the houses in my early 1900s neighborhood have electric stoves. The exception is those folks who put in gas line after buying the house, and then purchased a gas stove.
Why isn't gas more popular? And which do you prefer to cook on?
I believe that one reason for the lack of that option is simply that there is no gas available in the immediate area. I'm on Long Island (NY) and the local gas utility company will pay for the first 100 ft to bring gas into a house. Beyond that, the cost is currently about $75/ft.
So if the main is two blocks over, you're looking at thousands of $$$ ; in many areas the main isn't even remotely close which makes it cost prohibitive. In my last house, the nearest main was about a mile away - needless to say, I learned to live without gas.
Many of my buyers prefer gas. Some people will settle for propane gas (usually the tank is outside, close to the kitchen side) and find it works well for them.
I prefer gas for stovetop cooking, and electric for ovens. More even heating.
However, as to electric in houses of a certain age, I remember an ad campaign growing up about electric being cleaner....as in gas created dust. I don't think it's true, but I remember the ads.
I think it's regional. In Florida, most houses had electric stoves and when you visited an appliance store, you saw mostly electric. Now that I'm in the Northeast, it's gas stoves everywhere.
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