Gas stoves use gas to power heating elements inside the oven and burners on the stovetop, but they rely on electricity for ignition. Though you can usually bypass electric ignitions and light gas cooktops manually, other parts of the stove will not work without electricity.
While older stoves may be usable during a power outage, most new models will not be. Before trying to cook with your gas stove, check your range's manual to see whether it includes an interlock. The interlock is a feature that prevents any gas from entering the appliance unless there is electricity.
The Breaker Is Tripped
If your breaker was recently tripped due to a power outage, surge, or high electric usage, it may be the cause of your gas stove not working, particularly if your igniter is electric. In some homes, breakers trip frequently because of overloaded circuits.
There is a common misconception that gas appliances are better because they keep working when the lights go out. While natural gas can still flow into your home during a blackout, many appliances still require power to operate.
Gas stoves require a gas line hook-up to operate. They also use a little electricity, primarily for igniters, oven lights, and digital displays. Gas stoves have two ignition systems: one that uses a pilot light that always stays lit, and one that uses an electric spark system to ignite the burner.
They don't rely on electricity to function. Although many have electric ignitions that work with a pilot light, most can be operated manually. This is ideal if there is a power outage in your area. If your electric ignition isn't working, all you have to do is turn on the gas and manually light the system.
The form of energy that provides power for a gas stove is chemical energy when it is stored. The natural gas that powers a gas stove stores energy in the bonds of its molecules. When the stove is turned on, the form of energy becomes thermal energy as the chemical energy stored in the natural gas is turned into heat.
Your gas furnace does not operate like a stove because it needs electricity to generate the heat necessary to warm your house. A gas furnace is ineffective during a power outage because it needs electricity to power the components that make it work.
For homes with standard gravity toilets, you can breathe a sigh of relief. These toilets generally work normally during a power outage, and you can flush them as usual because they don't require electricity. On the other hand, if your toilet uses an electric pump or a sewage ejector, you might face some challenges.
Televisions, computer equipment, game consoles, fans, lights and all other smaller appliances should be unplugged, especially if they were in use when the power went out. Larger appliances, such as refrigerators, should not be unplugged.
If your oven is locked after a power outage, try performing a general reset by unplugging it for a few minutes. If this doesn't work, consult your oven's manual for specific instructions on unlocking it. If you're still having trouble, it may be time to call a professional.
If your gas oven won't turn on but the stove still works, you're in the right place. Thankfully, most of the time this problem is caused by either a problem with your power, the gas, the gas igniter, the burners, or in rare cases the temperature control thermostat.
Consult the owner's manual for further requirements. Also, keep in mind that power outages can cause power surges that can damage circuit boards and motors. For this reason, it's a good idea to unplug your pellet stove during a storm when it's not in use, or plug it into a surge protector.
Traditional gas water heaters with a standing pilot light are designed to operate without electricity, relying on mechanical and thermal processes to function. A traditional water heater will be reliable during a power outage because it will provide continuous hot water as long as hot water remains in the tank.
Can I Shower When the Power Is Out? To shower when the power is out, your home needs a traditional tank-style water heater. If that water heater still has hot water in reserve, then you can take a warm shower. If you plan to take a shower, you need to do it soon after the power goes out.
Gas Stoves
If your model has a manual ignition feature, you can light the burners with a match. However, modern models with electric ignition systems will not operate without electricity for the oven, although you may still be able to use the cooktop.
Stock Water: Fill the bathtub so you have water to flush the toilet. Then fill large containers for drinking water.
Refrigerated Food and Power Outages: When to Save It and When to Throw It Out. As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage.
Many installed generators run on natural gas with an automatic start when the electric power goes off. They work well. Natural gas will continue to flow if the electricity goes out. However, your furnace won't work without electricity, you need the blower motor to run.
While gas furnaces primarily rely on natural gas for heating, the electrical components like the blower motor, ignition system, and control board do consume electricity. The wattage consumption can range widely depending on the model and its efficiency: Smaller Furnaces: Typically consume around 300-500 watts.
Even though a gas stove uses gas for cooking, it relies on electricity for ignition and other features such as the electronic control panel and oven light.
Compared to cooking with an electric stove, cooking with gas also produces twice as much harmful particulate matter, which can have health impacts on the heart and lungs. Gas stoves can also release formaldehyde, a human carcinogen, and carbon monoxide, which is odorless and can be toxic in high concentrations.
A pivotal development was the introduction of electronic ignition systems. These modern systems eliminated the need for pilot lights in most gas stoves and ovens. Instead of a constant flame, an electronic spark ignites the gas flow only when the appliance is turned on.