Many San Francisco homes use natural gas for heating, water heating, and cooking. Burning gas in our homes creates unhealthy indoor air pollution, contributes to respiratory problems like asthma, and is a major contributor to climate change. That’s why San Francisco’s Climate Action Plan calls for phasing out all gas use in buildings by 2040. The solution is electrification, which means replacing gas appliances with efficient electric appliances.

Renters have limited control over large appliances, but you can still enjoy a healthier home by taking steps to reduce your use of natural gas.

  • Choose clean cooking: Cooking on a gas stove is the largest contributor to unhealthy air in many homes. As a renter, you may not be able to replace your stove, but you can use it less by cooking instead with plug-in appliances such as an air fryer, electric barbecue grill, electric kettle, slow cooker, and toaster oven.

    Use a portable induction cooktop as a substitute for your gas stove. Compared to gas stoves, induction cooktops heat up faster, offer more precise temperature control, and are safer and easier to clean. It’s no wonder that many professional chefs have made the switch to induction.

    Try it for free! You can borrow an induction cooktop for two weeks at no cost through the PG&E Induction Cooktop Loaner Program. If you like it, you can buy your own for under $100.
     

  • Use renewable energy: For the price of one cup of coffee a month, customers of CleanPowerSF can choose the SuperGreen option and get 100% of their electricity from clean, renewable sources.
     
  • Reduce your use: If you pay your own electric bill, take advantage of these free programs to reduce your energy consumption. Saving energy is a great way to reduce gas use and cut your utility bills.
    • Request a free Energy Saving Toolkit (value up to $70) from BayREN, including LED bulbs, a smart power strip, faucet aerators, and more.
    • What's better than free? Getting paid! Sign up for OhmConnect and get rewarded for saving energy during critical hours when energy is in high demand (program funded through PG&E).
       
  • Talk to your landlord: Live in a building with five or more units? Let your landlord know about the BayREN Multifamily Program, where they can get free technical assistance and rebates of $500 per unit (or more) for electrification and energy efficiency improvements.

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