We talk a lot about phasing out gas in New Zealand homes to hit carbon targets or slash energy bills (or save it for industrial use), but the real headline is human health. A striking study from the US shows that replacing a gas stove with an electric hob cuts asthma-related hospital visits and sick days by a staggering 70%.
It’s crazy to me that we’re still intentionally burning anything inside our living spaces. This study from Case Western Reserve University puts hard numbers on the risk. This was a small study but the results were dramatic. Indoor nitrogen dioxide NO2 levels dropped by 70%, and participants’ clinical asthma scores improved more than common pharmaceutical drugs.
Groups like Rewiring Aotearoa make a compelling economic case for electrification, but the health co-benefits are the real game-changer. Given New Zealand’s high asthma rates, swapping gas hobs for induction isn’t just an energy upgrade it’s basic preventive healthcare.
Running rough numbers for New Zealand there are 63,000 people with poorly controlled asthma and gas stoved. If we swapped out gas stoves for every person with poorly controlled asthma we’d save something like 350,000 fewer days off from school.
Abstract: This study evaluated the health impacts of replacing gas stoves with electric hobs in households with poorly controlled asthma. Replacing gas stoves led to a 70% reduction in indoor nitrogen dioxide levels and a drop in asthma symptom scores from 2.6 to 1.5. This produced a 70% decrease in asthma-related hospital admissions and missed school/work days, showing health benefits that match or exceed common medications.
Numbers for New Zealand used in the AI infographic:
Number of People with Poorly Controlled Asthma Using Gas Stoves
A. Asthma Population: Approximately 635,000 New Zealanders (1 in 8 Kiwis) take medication for asthma, according to data from Sensitive Choice NZ Asthma Facts.
B. Poorly Controlled Proportion: Findings from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ indicate that 51% of people living with asthma have poorly controlled asthma.
C. Gas Stove Household Rate: The EECA Indoor Combustion Study identifies 360,099 occupied dwellings in New Zealand using gas stoves out of ~1.85 million occupied homes, representing a 19.5% household penetration rate.
Math is pretty simple 635,000*0.51*0.195=63,150 Asthma folks with poor control and gas stoves.
This is a rough estimate but the impact is pretty huge. I’m not a public health expert so if I’ve missed something please let me know.