Energy Education
Breathing Easy at Home
We spend an average of 90% of our day inside so the quality of the air inside you home matters!
Did you know that the air inside your home can actually be more polluted than the outdoor air? Learn what causes this, how to fix it, and when to act.
THE BIGGEST RISK
Combustion appliances and your indoor air
Gas stoves and ovens, gas furnaces, and space heaters burn fuel indoors. This releases pollutants directly into the air you breathe every day.
The Hidden Problem:
When you cook with a gas stove, you’re burning fossil fuels inside your home. This releases pollutants directly into the air you and your family breathe. Learn more below:
Linked to asthma and respiratory illness.
Nitrogen Dioxide exposure can not only exacerbate or cause new cases of asthma, but is also linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, preterm birth, and diabetes.
– Harvard School of Public Health
A colorless, odorless, toxic gas.
A known carcinogen.
A cancer-causing chemical.
Small particles that penetrate deep into the lungs.
A BETTER ALTERNATIVE
Consider switching to induction
Induction stoves eliminate combustion entirely. Induction cooktops heat cookware directly with no open flame, no gas, and no indoor air pollution.
No combustion,
Better air.
Induction cooking is more precise, faster to heat, and safer. There’s no open flame, no gas leak risk, and no toxic byproducts released into your home’s air.
Gas Stoves
❌ Releases harmful chemicals
❌ Open flame – burn risk
❌ Gas leak potential
❌ Wastes heat energy
Induction Stoves
✅ Zero combustion byproducts
✅ No open flame
✅ No gas connection needed
✅ 90%+ energy efficiency
Tips to improve your indoor air quality
Small, consistent actions can make a real difference in the air your family breathes every day. Follow these tips to help improve your indoor air quality!
Heat your home safely
Never use a gas stove, oven, portable heater, or charcoal grill to heat your home especially in enclosed spaces. These can release deadly gases and cause fires. Report appliance issues to your landlord; if unresolved, call or visit 311.
Consider switching to induction
Gas stoves release nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and fine particles. Induction stoves eliminate these risks entirely by heating cookware directly. No combustion, better air quality, and more precise cooking.
Control moisture, prevent mold
Mold thrives in humid environments and releases airborne spores that trigger allergies and asthma. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms, fix leaks promptly, and consider a dehumidifier if indoor humidity exceeds 50%.
Install CO2 and smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide is odorless and deadly. Place detectors on every floor, especially near sleeping areas and attached garages. Test them monthly and replace batteries annually.
Change your air filters regularly
Clogged HVAC filters stop trapping dust, allergens, and pollutants, and can recirculate dirty air. Replace filters every 1–3 months depending on usage, pets, and dust levels in your home.
Ensure good ventilation
Open windows regularly to flush out stale air and dilute built-up pollutants like Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), moisture, and cooking byproducts. Even a few minutes of cross-ventilation makes a significant difference.
Minimize dust and allergens
Dust with damp or microfiber cloths, vacuum, and wet-clean floors weekly. Wash bedding in hot water and use a door mat to reduce outdoor dust. Choose low-VOC cleaners and ventilate when cleaning.
Questions? We're here to help!
Have questions and need help getting them answered? Send us a question, or contact us at the information below:
- Call us at 845-383-1050
- Visit the office at 190 Fair Street, Unit 1, Kingston, New York 12401 USA
Check out our other programs
We’re dedicated to supporting those most affected by rising energy costs and the impacts of climate change, especially communities that have faced the greatest harm from our current energy system. Through continuous innovation, community involvement in program design, and advocacy for sustainable change, we’re building a cleaner, fairer future. Explore our other programs to see how we’re making a difference.
Kingston Community Energy
Home Upgrade Grants
HELP Fund
