Gas Appliances

Thinking about switching to gas home appliances may be a good option to save money at the same time as experiencing higher levels of performance and productivity.

There is a plentiful supply of natural gas in the United States meaning that prices per unit are low and stable, and shale gas is looked upon as the least polluting non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be regarded as the environmentally responsible alternative.

If you already have a natural gas line at home, or are buying a new house you should think about the potential advantages of using more gas and gas home appliances.

Read more about gas appliances here from Green Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Appliances?

A natural gas device employs gas as the primary power source. Natural gas devices present a practicable substitute for electrically powered appliances for heating your living space, heating water, heating your food and even cooling your home and drying your clothes.

Generally you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a natural gas stove can still be used even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas tumble dryer still relies upon electrical components to make the drum turn.

A List of Devices That Run On Gas.

Natural gas is not just for cooking.

Proving Heat

Keeping yourself warm with gas usually costs less than heating using electricity. Your expenditure could be cut in half depending on your fuel tariffs and efficiency.

Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.

Fireplaces

Apart from general heating gas is ideal for a fireplace. With a natural gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and plenty of warmth without the mess.

Air Conditioning

Gas can offer an adept method to keep cool.

Gas powered air conditioning can be more expensive initially but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning lower prices in the long term. Higher performance has the added benefit of lowering your carbon footprint.

Water Heating

Natural gas water heaters come in two styles, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are faster and more fuel efficient than electric water heaters. On-demand heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that gas lines are almost always underground and guarded from the weather means you will still have the ability to heat your home even when there’s a power outage.

Cooking

Most people have come across the saying “cooking with gas”. A great marketing line designed to link the use of natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the origin the phrase has stuck around because it is accurate. The majority of chefs choose natural gas for the ability to control the heat, and natural gas stoves also offer a much more efficient way of converting energy into heat.

Dryers

You might not immediately think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, gas dryers are a great choice. They work at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in less time.

Outdoor Entertaining

Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, gas is often used for patio lights and outdoor cooking and can even be used to heat your pool.

Impress guests as soon as they arrive with path lighting, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric heater. And natural gas fire pits set the mood as well as providing warmth for the best outside entertaining.

Pros of Gas Home Appliances

With any decision you make it makes sense to look at the pros and the cons. Here are some of the pros of choosing Natural Gas.

Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual power bills.
Natural gas devices tend to use less energy making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the planet.
Gas is an environmentally responsible selection as it is considered the least polluting of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply more reliable. This means you can continue to cook even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Cons of Natural Gas Appliances

Natural gas devices usually require a higher initial investment. Both the price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be higher for a gas appliance when comparing to electrical alternatives.
Installing a new gas line can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your energy company before making any decisions.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also cost a considerable amount.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas home appliances are not properly installed or not maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Natural Gas?

Making the decision between gas and electricity is not always simple and the optimal choice for you probably won’t be the best decision for everyone.

Currently gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the price is your main driver this can be a big part of the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, switching to gas is expensive. Thus, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.

Another reason to choose gas is stability of supply. If power failures are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during outages can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical home appliances. Installing renewable energy may turn out to be more cost-effective and more sustainable options in the long run.