- ENERGY STAR puts induction at about 85% efficient, compared with roughly 75–80% for electric resistance and about 32% for gas.
- Cooking uses relatively little energy, so annual running cost differences are usually modest.
- You need magnetic cookware; a fridge magnet test tells you if a pan will work.
- Most full-size induction ranges need a 240-volt circuit installed by a licensed electrician.
How induction works
Under the glass surface of an induction cooktop is a copper coil. When you turn on a zone, alternating current in the coil creates a rapidly changing magnetic field. That field induces electrical currents in the base of a magnetic pan, and the pan itself heats up.
Because the heat is created in the pan, the glass stays relatively cool, warmed only by contact with the hot cookware. ENERGY STAR notes this reduces the heat escaping into your kitchen and makes the surface safer to touch. Spills do not bake on as easily, which makes cleanup simpler.
Efficiency compared
| Cooktop type | Approximate efficiency | What happens to the rest |
|---|---|---|
| Induction | About 85% | Small losses in electronics and pan |
| Electric resistance (coil or smooth-top) | About 75–80% | Heats the element and surface, some lost to air |
| Gas | About 32% | Much of the flame's heat goes around the pan into the room |
Figures are from ENERGY STAR's emerging technology analysis of residential induction cooktops. Per unit of heat delivered to food, induction uses roughly a third of the energy of gas.
Running costs: a worked example
Efficiency is only half the story. Electricity usually costs more per unit of energy than natural gas, which narrows the gap. Here is a simple comparison for a household whose cooking needs about 100 kWh of heat delivered into pots and pans each year. That is an illustrative figure, chosen because cooking is a small share of most homes' energy use.
We use electricity at $0.17/kWh, close to the 2025 US residential average reported by the US Energy Information Administration, and natural gas at an illustrative $1.50 per therm.
- Induction: 100 ÷ 0.85 = 118 kWh × $0.17 = about $20 a year
- Electric resistance: 100 ÷ 0.775 = 129 kWh × $0.17 = about $22 a year
- Gas: 100 ÷ 0.32 = 312.5 kWh of gas energy × 3,412 Btu = 1,066,250 Btu, or 10.7 therms × $1.50 = about $16 a year
In this example induction costs about $4 a year more to run than gas and about $2 less than an electric coil cooktop. Your numbers will differ with local prices and how much you cook, but the lesson holds: switching to induction is rarely about the cooking energy bill.
Where real savings can appear
The bigger money question is your gas connection. Many gas utilities charge a fixed monthly customer fee whether you use a little gas or a lot. If your stove is your last gas appliance, for example after installing a heat pump and a heat pump water heater, removing gas service eliminates that fee.
For example, a $15 monthly fixed charge × 12 months = $180 a year, far more than the cooking energy difference. Check your own bill for the fixed charge. Our appliance cost calculator can help you compare.
Benefits beyond the bill
- Speed: induction typically boils water faster than gas or electric resistance, because more of its power reaches the pan.
- Control: heat responds almost instantly when you adjust the setting, similar to gas.
- Cooler kitchen: less waste heat means less work for your air conditioning in summer.
- Safety: there is no open flame, and most units switch off automatically when a pan is removed.
- Indoor air: burning gas indoors releases combustion byproducts such as nitrogen dioxide. Induction produces none, though cooking itself still creates smoke and fumes, so keep using a range hood that vents outdoors.
What you need to switch from gas
Electrical supply
Most full-size induction ranges and cooktops need a dedicated 240-volt circuit, often rated at 40 or 50 amps, though requirements vary by model. Check the installation manual before you buy. If your kitchen has no 240-volt circuit, a licensed electrician must install one and may need to check your panel's capacity. This is not a DIY job.
If your panel is full, there are options. Some newer induction ranges are designed to plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, using a built-in battery to deliver full power. They cost more upfront but can avoid a panel upgrade.
Disconnecting gas
The gas line to your old stove must be safely capped by a licensed gas fitter or plumber. If you are closing your gas account entirely, contact your utility about removing the meter.
Cookware
Induction only works with magnetic cookware. Cast iron, enameled cast iron and most stainless steel work well. Aluminum, copper and glass do not, unless they have a magnetic base layer. If a fridge magnet sticks firmly to the bottom of a pan, it will work. Flat-bottomed pans give the best contact.
Try before you commit
A portable single-zone induction burner plugs into a standard outlet and costs far less than a range. It is a low-risk way to learn the cooking style and test your cookware.
A few quirks
- Some pans hum or buzz at high settings. This is normal and often quieter with heavier cookware.
- Woks with round bottoms do not work well on a flat induction surface; flat-bottomed woks are fine.
- Anyone with a pacemaker or other implanted medical device should check with their doctor and the device manufacturer about safe distances from induction cooktops.
Incentives
Some states, provinces and utilities offer rebates for induction cooktops or for the electrical work needed to install them. Programs change often; see our incentives page for current options. For background on the efficiency figures, see ENERGY STAR's induction cooking top analysis.
Frequently asked questions
Will induction lower my energy bill?
Usually only slightly, because cooking uses relatively little energy. Larger savings come if switching lets you remove gas service and its fixed monthly charge.
Do I need all new pots and pans?
Not necessarily. Test each pan with a magnet. Cast iron and most stainless steel already work; you may only need to replace aluminum or copper pieces.
Is induction faster than gas?
Typically yes for tasks like boiling water, because a higher share of the energy goes into the pan rather than the surrounding air.
Can I install an induction range myself?
You can slide a range into place, but any new 240-volt circuit must be installed by a licensed electrician, and capping a gas line requires a licensed gas professional.
Run your own numbers
Plug your bill, prices and climate into our free appliance energy cost calculator — every assumption is editable.
This guide is general information, not financial, tax or engineering advice. Prices and incentives change — confirm with qualified local professionals and official program sources. See our methodology and disclosures.