Cooking

Is your range held together with tape? Do all of your burners or elements function? It's time for an upgrade and we're here to help you decide which type might be best for you and your space.

Questions to start with:

1. What do you currently have and is it (prior to malfunctioning) meeting your needs?
   • "Range" or "Stove." Appliance containing several burners or elements and one or two ovens together. "Stove" is a historical term evolving from a cavity for burning wood or coal and were used to heat homes.
   • "Burner." Individual part of a gas stove from which flame and heat is produced. Typical residential stoves have 4-6 burners.
   • "Element." Individual part of an electric stove from which heat is produced. Style varies across types of electric stoves. Typical residential stoves have 4-5 elements. 
   • "Cooktop." Stand-alone appliance containing only the burners or elements. Most often set into the counter. 
   • "Oven." Enclosed compartment for cooking and heating food or drying. Can be fueled by gas or electric. Can be located within the range or installed directly into the wall or cabinets.
   • Cooktop heating style: gas, electric (elements include round metal coils, solid metal disks, and ceramic glass radiant), dual-fuel (used gas and electric), and induction (often confused with the look of a more traditional electric ceramic-topped cooktop, but the elements will only activate with a ferric cooking vessel because of the electromagnetic energy source).
   • Oven heating style: conventional (no fan, just the flame vents or electric coils) or convection (there is a fan in your oven).
2. Do you have any safety or health considerations you need to take into account?
   • Do you have a range hood or range vent? Is it functioning? It is sized appropriately for your cooking surface? Does it vent outside or recirculate back into your space? For our customers who love specs, here is an excellent place to get some info on properly sizing one. 
   • Anyone in your home with asthma or other respiratory concerns? Is cooking with gas inside your space without ventilation a concern to you? 
   • Are there people who tend to forget the stove or oven is on? Or frequently set items on the stove surface where there is potential to accidently turn the heating surface on? 
   • Are there little hands or paws that can reach potentially hot surfaces?
   • Is the existing appliance beyond safe operation?
   • What is your plan during a power outage? 
   • Is the temperature of your kitchen tolerable while cooking and/or baking? 
3. What will be needed for your upgrade?

• Have an existing electric range? Mostly likely, you will be good to go to plug in whatever new electric or induction stove you choose? 
• Have a gas range and looking to switch to electric or induction? Consult with an certified electrician to talk about your options and availability to install the proper outlet. 
• Have an electric range and looking to switch to gas? Consult with a plumber who is skilled with gas line work to talk about your options if there isn't an existing gas line in your home or near your range.
• Your contractor should know, but make sure you are getting the correct permits (LINK) and inspections (LINK).
• Adding gas or capping it off? Be sure to work with Utilities to Add, Upgrade or Modify Services

Check out our YouTube page for a Induction Cooking informative videos

Rebates

The State of New Mexico is administering the energy efficiency rebate programs. Funding for induction cooking units is not yet available. We will update this page as state funding sources become available

Tax Credits

There are no tax credits available.

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Multiple locations to borrow and test an induction cooktop unit!

Curious about an alternative to natural gas or an upgrade to the standard electric cooktop, but want to try before you dive into the replacement process? The Induction Cooktop Loaner Program allows for a two week borrowing period to get hands-on experience with cooking on an induction cooktop. This opportunity is great for anyone who has an aging range that they'd like to replace, who is considering a kitchen renovation, who might be interested in working toward carbon neutrality, or who is simply interested in trying out the technology.

The Induction Cooktop Loaner Program kits include:

• A portable single-burner induction cooktop
• A choice of an induction-ready pot, pan or wok
• Some colorful utensils
• User instructions
• A magnet to test other pots for induction readiness
• A nifty carrying case

DPU Customers may borrow cooktop kits for free!

Loaner Program Signup

*Have your utility Account or Customer # ready

Los Alamos Public Library System Patrons can borrow kits from either library branch!

Library of Things - Induction Kit