When changing to an IH furnace, treat it as a water and electricity project first
Induction cookers are easier to clean, have stable fire control, and have fewer open flames; but in a medieval house in New Taipei, Taipei, it is not as simple as pulling out the gas stove and replacing it with a new one. The key is the power supply capacity, countertop structure, heat dissipation space and how to safely handle the original gas equipment. If you place an order based only on the appearance and size, you will often find out on the installation day that the openings do not fit, the power supply specifications do not match, and even the main switch in the home cannot be supported.
Confirm the rated voltage and power of the product first
Commercially available IH stoves have different voltages, powers and plug types, so it cannot be generalized as "all induction cookers are the same". You should refer to the instruction manual of the purchased model to confirm the rated voltage, maximum power consumption, recommended protection device and socket type, and then ask a professional to evaluate whether a new dedicated circuit is needed. Kitchens often have electric ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, and hot water bottles at the same time. If high-power-consuming equipment is connected to the same circuit, it will appear normal at ordinary times, and the cooking peak will easily escape.
Do not use adapters, cable strips or modify the plugs yourself to solve specification problems. These practices will cause the contacts to heat up, invalidate the protection, and make it difficult to clarify responsibilities in the future. If the old house originally had insufficient grounding, it should be checked before upgrading.
The bigger the countertop opening is, the better
Embedded models will indicate the opening size, countertop thickness and clearance below. Artificial stone, quartz stone, stainless steel and wooden countertops are cut in different ways; when the old opening is too large, it cannot be supported by just a circle of glue. If there are drawers, ovens or partitions below, the air intake and exhaust space required by the product must also be reserved. Otherwise, the machine may be overheated and the load may be reduced or the life of the machine may be shortened. Before cutting, you should first check the locations of water pipes, gas pipes, and electrical wires under the countertop to avoid invisible losses caused by one cut.
After the gas stove is removed, the gas pipe must be disposed of by the gas supply unit
Just because the gas stove is no longer in use does not mean that you can fold the hose and stuff it back into the cabinet. The sealing, dismantling and leak detection of gas pipelines should be handled by qualified personnel in accordance with the procedures of the gas supplier. If the gas water heater is still retained in the future, the entire system cannot be shut down. Before decorating, take a photo of the location of the pipelines and confirm the reserved equipment, which can reduce the situation of being forced to make holes after the cabinet is completed.
Don’t ignore kitchen ventilation and usage habits
IH stoves will not produce combustion exhaust gas, but they will still produce oil smoke, water vapor and cooking smells. Range hoods, exhaust pipes and window ventilation are still part of the kitchen. For pots, make sure the bottom can be electromagnetically induced. Deformation or too small bottom of the pot will also affect the heating effect. When completed, it is recommended to test the multi-burner operation, range hood and other kitchen appliances at the same time to observe whether there is a power outage, abnormal heat or burning smell. Completing these basic tests is the safest way to move from a gas stove to an electrified kitchen.
Don’t budget just for the stove itself
Modification costs usually include old stove removal, countertop cutting or repair, dedicated circuits, sockets, gas terminal treatment and cabinet restoration. When asking for a quote, break down each item. Don't just ask "how much does it cost?" If it is for rent or resale, retaining the product model, circuit location, construction photos and warranty information will also make maintenance easier for the next user. Updating cooking equipment can improve daily quality, but safety, maintainability, and not affecting the original building system are always more important than temporary appearance.
Keep a record of the current situation before and after construction begins
Before starting any home equipment or decoration adjustment, take photos of the panorama, joints, corners and original equipment markings; after completion, record the test methods, abnormal sounds, material models and warranty contact information. This information is not intended to predict the occurrence of disputes, but to allow the next person to understand the original condition when repairing, subletting, selling or handing over the property in the future. When a problem is discovered, you should first stop using it in a way that may cause damage, and avoid dismantling and modifying unfamiliar water, electricity, gas or wall structures in a hurry. By keeping good records, repairs will be judged faster and expenditures will be more easily explained.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs' latest "Regulations on Consumer Electrical Equipment Installation" and the key points of electricity safety in old houses
Due to the popularity of high-power household appliances (such as air fryers, microwave ovens, dishwashers, instantaneous electric water heaters, and IH furnaces) in recent years, the Energy Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs has revised the "Regulations on Consumer Electrical Equipment Installation" many times to strictly require the diversion and protection mechanisms of residential electricity circuits. Statistics show that more than 30% of building fires in Taiwan are caused by electrical factors, among which "old wire insulation deteriorates and short circuits", "socket contacts are oxidized and loose, poor contact" and "non-fuse switch (NFB) overloaded and failed to trip" are the three main fatal causes.
Old apartments in Shuangbei that are more than 30 years old have a total original designed power capacity of only 30A to 40A, and several rooms often share the same 1.6mm or 2.0mm circuit. In the modern standard safety configuration, kitchen electrical cabinets, bathroom equipment, and air-conditioning and heating machines must all be equipped with 5.5mm² dedicated circuits (single circuit and single socket). It is recommended that the main switch box be upgraded to a busbar (Busbar) integrated distribution board, and the total amperage is increased to 75A or 100A (a qualified electrical appliance contractor needs to be entrusted to Taipower to review the additional power capacity).
Residential electricity self-test and regular inspection checklist
- Appearance and temperature of the socket: Touch the outer cover of the commonly used socket lightly with the back of your hand. If it feels lukewarm or if you find that the plastic socket is yellowed and charred, or the plug is loose and shaking after being plugged in, it means that the internal copper plate clamping force is exhausted or the contact resistance is too high, and you should immediately cut off the power and replace it.
- Regular testing of leakage circuit breakers (ELCB): For leakage circuit breakers in humid places such as balconies, bathrooms, and kitchen sinks, regulations require that the "TEST button" on the switch be pressed once every 1 to 3 months to confirm that it can automatically trip and cut off the power supply instantly.
- Serial connection and overloading of extension cords are strictly prohibited: Extension cords should be purchased with 2.0mm thick wire diameter products that have CNS certification and automatic overload power-off protection. Do not share the same extension cord with high energy-consuming appliances to ensure zero hidden danger to life and property at home.
