What is this electric induction cooking all about?

Electromagnetic induction cooktops are all-electric but they are not the electric resistance cooktops most people think of when electric cooking is mentioned. Electromagnetic induction cooktops are completely different, they have more specific temperature control, are much safer, easier to clean, and can vary heat settings faster than gas. Induction cooking uses electromagnetic energy to heat pots and pans directly. In comparison, gas and electric cooktops heat indirectly, using a burner or heating element, and passing radiant energy onto your food. Induction cooktops heat up the pot or pan much faster and temperature controls are much more precise. The smooth surface makes it easier to clean.

Induction cooking is popular in Europe and the popularity is growing in the U.S. One concern is the need for pots and pans to have a magnetic (steel or iron) bottom in order to work with the electromagnetic induction cooktop. A quick way to test if pots and pans will work with induction is to see if a magnet sticks to the bottom.

Induction cooktops emit an electromagnetic field of medium-frequency waves. According to the World Health Organization, there is no compelling evidence indicating medium-frequency magnetic fields have long-term health effects. It should be noted that radio-frequency interference that might pose a very small risk for people wearing heart pacemakers (no greater than the risk posed by other everyday electrical equipment).

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1. Why is the City going beyond what the State is requiring when the new energy code already has a large increase in energy requirements?
2. What are the advantages to all-electric buildings?
3. What are the potential drawbacks of an all-electric building?
4. Are all-electric buildings viable today?
5. What happens to electric water heaters and induction cooktops when the power goes out? Isn’t it better to have a gas stove to be able to cook meals and a gas water heater to have hot water?
6. Won’t this add costs and make it more difficult to build housing?
7. How do construction costs compare?
8. How does the life cycle cost compare?
9. Why the focus on new residential construction?
10. How reliable is the electric grid as compared to natural gas pipelines?
11. Will you take my gas stove away?
12. What is this electric induction cooking all about?
13. Can a heat pump water heater match the performance of a gas system?
14. Will the heat pump water heater need to be supplemented by electric resistance?
15. Doesn’t electricity produce emissions as well? What will these buildings run on when the sun goes down?
16. What about adding more electricity to the grid?
17. Does this affect smart meter opt out?
18. Is it harder to sell an all-electric house?