Dozens of public housing apartments will get plug-in induction ranges as part of the initiative, which aims to eventually shift 10,000 NYCHA homes off the use of polluting fossil fuel appliances.
This is important for those replacing gas or propane stoves and don’t want to add the cost of running a 240V line that most resistance and induction ovens require.
OK this makes sense. It answers my WTF reaction at the thought of a battery-backed range.
The winning submission came from Copper, a California-based company which designed a battery-equipped induction stove that plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet. That means the units can be used in existing NYCHA kitchens without the need for major electrical upgrades.
North American 240v is different from the rest of the world. You use single phase, we use split phase, which means our 240v has two hot wires instead of one. To retrofit a 240v circuit in, we need to run a new cable with an additional hot wire from the breaker box to the kitchen, a new set of breakers, and a new socket.
Induction stoves are $1000. 5kwh of batteries are $500, retailing around $2000 in the form of a power station. So, let’s call it $3000 total. The Copper Charlie goes for $6000. That extra $3000 is enough to have a 240v circuit installed by an electrician.
To answer your question, induction stoves are a premium product in the US. Only newer houses are wired for it, and they’re more likely to be configured for separate cooktops and ovens. So there’s not much available on the low end. If you’re on a tight budget, you’d want gas, which is far cheaper to run, and gas stoves start around $300.
For comparison, in Australia, gas and induction are at price parity (a budget 4-hotplate setup costs about $200-300 either way). You can buy a single-plate induction cooker for $50 that plugs into the wall and has a temperature configurable from 60-200 C.
Edit: Stopped markdown converting Centigrate to Copyright symbol
What makes it seem convoluted? It’s slightly more complex than a standard electric stove, but we have and use countless devices on a daily basis with this technology. Very rarely do they have any issues with the charging/discharge circuit.
Yes, the batteries will eventually need to be replaced, and it could be an issue during Thanksgiving (etc) when a ton of power is needed all at once. But I really think you’re overestimating the usage it will get.
In any event, this is why they’re running it as a pilot. Any real-world issues will come to light before a larger rollout.
OK this makes sense. It answers my WTF reaction at the thought of a battery-backed range.
Ditto. I wonder if it could be more of a big capacitor, or if it is.
Seems to be LFP pack. Safe and long-lasting.
Has the text changed? I can’t find any reference to 240v
I think this is the new section?
What’s so hard about 240v since it takes a thinner wire compared to 110v?
North American 240v is different from the rest of the world. You use single phase, we use split phase, which means our 240v has two hot wires instead of one. To retrofit a 240v circuit in, we need to run a new cable with an additional hot wire from the breaker box to the kitchen, a new set of breakers, and a new socket.
For new construction, nothing.
For existing construction, it requires you to run a new circuit.
Still doesn’t make much sense, though.
Induction stoves are $1000. 5kwh of batteries are $500, retailing around $2000 in the form of a power station. So, let’s call it $3000 total. The Copper Charlie goes for $6000. That extra $3000 is enough to have a 240v circuit installed by an electrician.
For real? In Europe one can get induction for less than €200. Significantly less. And a “real”, full size one, 4 spots.
I think you’re comparing the price of a cooktop to a cooktop/oven.
You’re right, I’ve updated my post.
To answer your question, induction stoves are a premium product in the US. Only newer houses are wired for it, and they’re more likely to be configured for separate cooktops and ovens. So there’s not much available on the low end. If you’re on a tight budget, you’d want gas, which is far cheaper to run, and gas stoves start around $300.
For comparison, in Australia, gas and induction are at price parity (a budget 4-hotplate setup costs about $200-300 either way). You can buy a single-plate induction cooker for $50 that plugs into the wall and has a temperature configurable from 60-200 C.
Edit: Stopped markdown converting Centigrate to Copyright symbol
PS: Also, electricity is cheaper than gas in Australia, because we have so much rooftop solar, electricity is soon going to be free during the midday peak.
I got one for 35€
I also see those batteries going bad and complications in the future with such a convuluted system.
What makes it seem convoluted? It’s slightly more complex than a standard electric stove, but we have and use countless devices on a daily basis with this technology. Very rarely do they have any issues with the charging/discharge circuit.
Yes, the batteries will eventually need to be replaced, and it could be an issue during Thanksgiving (etc) when a ton of power is needed all at once. But I really think you’re overestimating the usage it will get.
In any event, this is why they’re running it as a pilot. Any real-world issues will come to light before a larger rollout.