Considering natural gas appliances may be an option to reduce your bills at the same time as experiencing increases in performance and productivity.
There is a abundant supply of shale gas in the United States resulting in low, stable costs, and gas is looked upon as the least polluting fossil fuel, thus, it can be viewed as the most eco-friendly choice.
If you already have a natural gas line in your house, or are building a new home you should look at the possible benefits of switching to natural gas and natural gas household appliances. Find more information about gas appliances below from Tru Appliance Repair:
What is a Gas Home Appliance?
A gas device uses gas as the main fuel source. These goods offer a practicable substitute to electrical devices for heating your home, heating water, cooking your food and even air conditioning and tumble drying.
Usually you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a natural gas water heater will work even when there is a power outage, whereas a gas tumble dryer still needs electrical components.
A List of Home Appliances That Operate Using Natural Gas.
Natural gas is about more than cooking.
Heating
Heating your home with gas usually costs less than heating your home with electricity. Your costs could halve depending on your fuel costs and relative efficiency gains.
Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.
Fireplaces
As well as heating natural gas is perfect for a log fire with real flames.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and a warm home without the fuss.
Keeping Cool
Gas air conditioners can be an adept way to cool your home, even if there is a power outage.
Natural gas powered air conditioning may be more costly to install but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning cost savings in the long term. Better effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Water Heaters
There are two types of gas water heaters, non-tank and tank. Natural gas heaters are quicker and more efficient than electric water heaters. On-demand heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand.
The fact that gas lines are generally dug into the ground and guarded from the elements ensures you will still have hot water even when you don’t have electricity.
Cooking
Most people have come across the saying “cooking with gas”. A great advertising strategy created to link natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Regardless of the origin the saying is used today because it is true. Most chefs choose natural gas for the ease with which you can control the size of the flame, and natural gas stoves also offer a more cost effective way of turning energy into heat.
Tumble Dryers
Natural gas might not be the immediate place your mind goes when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas clothes dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers heat the air a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in a shorter time.
Outdoor Entertaining
Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? When it comes to outdoor entertaining, natural gas is often used for patio lights and outdoor cooking and even to heat your pool.
Wow friends before they even reach the front door with outdoor lighting, keep them warm on cool evenings and get dinner ready outside at the perfect temperature, when you like, and without the need to remember to fill up your gas bottles.
Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And gas patio heaters set the mood as well as giving comfort for the best indoor-outdoor living.
Benefits of Natural Gas Appliances
As in all things there are pros and cons to gas devices. First up the benefits of choosing Natural Gas.
- Choosing natural gas will reduce your energy bills.
- Natural gas devices tend to use less energy making them better for your wallet and for the environment.
- Gas is an eco-friendly selection as it is considered the least polluting of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
- Natural gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can still heat water even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.
Negatives of Natural gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas devices generally have a higher initial outlay. Both the value of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be more.
- Having a natural gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be costly. The cost will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your supplier before making any decisions.
- Moving or extending a natural gas line can also be expensive.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas devices are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.
Is a Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?
Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not always simple and the right choice for you might not be the optimal decision for everyone.
If your main driver is cost natural gas is currently the cheaper fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, converting to gas comes at a cost. Thus, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.
Another key advantage of gas is stability of supply. If power failures are common where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power failures can be a big plus.
Lastly, the sustainability credentials of natural gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical devices. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.