Health-e Communities
Thank you for your interest in Health-e Communities. Applications for this pilot program are now closed.
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Overview
The Health-e Communities pilot program explored how electrification impacts indoor air quality by replacing gas stoves with induction ranges and measuring the difference in air quality, at no cost to participants.
Why This Study?
Gas stoves are a leading contributor to poor indoor air quality.
Scientists have long known that gas stoves emit dangerous indoor pollutants including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates that irritate human airways and can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems. For many, the risk to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.
What would happen if we remove gas stoves from the equation?
The goal of the Health-e Communities program is to better understand the impacts to indoor toxicity levels by removing gas stoves from the kitchen.
Our plan is simple: we will replace your existing natural gas stove with a qualifying induction range at no cost to you, and we will measure changes to your indoor air quality.
Benefits of Participation
- Free new 30” induction range, including installation. If you need new cookware, we got you covered.
- Free electrical panel assessment and/or energy assessment.
- Free air quality monitoring. We’ll monitor the air quality of your home before and after installing your new induction range.
- And, most importantly, a healthier and safer home.
Eligibility
- To participate, you must be an active customer of Ava Community Energy.
- This is an income-qualified program. You must be enrolled in CARE or FERA, or live in an affordable housing unit*. Learn more about the CARE program.
- Participants can be renters or homeowners. If you are a renter, you will need to get approval from the property owner to participate in this program.
- The home can be a single-family or multi-unit dwelling with up to 4 units.
- The electrical panel cannot have an open recall and must be able to safely accommodate a circuit for the new induction range. This program does not cover full panel replacements. You will be notified if your panel does not meet these requirements after the initial site visit.
Ava reserves the right to change the requirements of the Health-e Communities Program, as may be necessary.
*Please note: If you are an applicant residing in affordable housing, please include one of the following documents with your application to help expedite the review process: 1) Welfare Tax Exemption documentation, 2) Low-Income Housing Regulatory Agreement, or 3) Recorded deed restriction or Resale Restriction Agreement (BORRA).
How It Works
If you’re still completing your induction range installation, here’s what to expect. The full process, from application to installation, typically takes 6–10 weeks.
Initial Site Visit
Our partner, Franklin Energy, will schedule a visit to your home to perform a site assessment and determine project eligibility. If eligible for our program, you will receive a Participant Agreement with terms of participation. You’ll be able to select your new induction range from our list of qualifying models.
Air Quality Monitoring Begins
Franklin Energy will set up and install air monitoring equipment in your home from the Berkeley Air Monitoring Group that will identify existing levels of indoor contaminants. We will continue to monitor your indoor air quality until 1–2 weeks after installation of your new induction range.
Installation
A qualified contractor will install your new induction range. Services include minor electrical work and capping the gas line. The old gas appliance will also be removed from your premises.
Air Quality Monitoring Is Complete
On our final visit, we will pick up the air quality monitor. At the end of this pilot, you will receive a copy of your indoor air quality report prepared by Berkeley Air Monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ava Community Energy (Ava)?
Ava Community Energy (Ava) is your local, not-for-profit electricity generation provider. Ava is a Community Choice Energy Aggregation (often referred to as a CCA or CCE) program. State law allows cities and counties to pool the electricity demand of their residents and businesses for the purpose of buying electricity on behalf of those customers as part of a CCE program.
What is the Health-e Communities program?
The goal of the Health-e Communities program is to better understand the impacts to indoor toxicity levels by removing gas stoves from the kitchen.
Our plan is simple. We will replace your existing natural gas stove with a qualifying induction range at no cost to you, and we will measure changes to your indoor air quality.
Why is Ava doing this?
Gas stoves are a leading contributor to poor indoor air quality. Scientists have long known that gas stoves emit dangerous indoor pollutants including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems.
Ava Community Energy launched this program to study the effects of electrification on indoor air quality.
What are the benefits of participation in Health-e Communities?
Participants in our study will receive:
- Free new 30” induction range, including installation. If you need cookware, we got you covered.
- Free electrical panel assessment and/or energy assessment.
- Free air quality monitoring. We’ll monitor the air quality of your home before and after installing your new induction range.
- And, most importantly, a healthier and safer home.
Can I use my own contractor for the installation, or can I install it myself?
No, you must work with installers through Franklin for installation of the range and for any electrical work that is needed. We will work with you to schedule the work at a time that works best for you.
What type of induction range will be installed?
Program participants can select a new 30” induction range (slide in or freestanding) from a list of supported models. Subject to availability, models may vary.
Who should I contact if I have questions about my project (scheduling, installation, project status)?
Franklin will manage your project from the initial assessment through installation of your new induction range. They will oversee the installation and removal of the air monitoring equipment, and, at the end of your project you will receive a copy of your indoor air quality report.
Please contact Franklin Energy at 510-740-9010 or InductionInstallationServices@ae.franklinenergy.com for any questions regarding your project once an application has been submitted.
What is induction?
Induction is the most energy-efficient cooking technology currently on the market. Around 90% of induction heat reaches your food, far exceeding traditional gas or electric resistance heating. Learn more about the benefits of induction cooking.
Will my pots and pans work on an induction range?
To check if your cookware is compatible, place a magnet on the bottom of your pan. The stronger the magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan, the better the cookware will work with induction. Cast iron, enameled cast iron, and many types of stainless-steel cookware are all induction-compatible. Cookware made of aluminum, all copper, or glass will not heat up unless it has a magnetic metal layer on the bottom.
Adapters that allow you to use non-magnetic cookware on induction stoves can be purchased for about $20.
If you need new cookware, we’ve got you covered.
Will the Health-e Communities program help me replace my panel?
No. Franklin Energy will assess your panel to ensure it can safely accommodate the new induction range. During your panel assessment, Franklin Energy will work with you to optimize your panel, if needed. This program does not cover full panel replacements.
Partners
The Health-e Communities program is a partnership between Ava Community Energy, Franklin Energy, and the Berkeley Air Monitoring Group.
Franklin Energy has partnered with Ava to provide induction cooktop installation services focused on improving indoor air quality for customers. Franklin Energy works with utilities, municipalities, and cooperatives to deliver energy efficiency and grid optimization programs across the United States.
Berkeley Air is a technical partner for energy, health, environmental research, and development programs. Established in 2008 as a social venture, its mission is to protect global health and climate. Initiatives worldwide rely on Berkeley Air for independent evaluations of home energy appliances and their impacts on people and the environment.