Thinking about switching to gas appliances may be a good option to lower expenditures at the same time as seeing increases in comfort and efficiency.
There is a high supply of gas in the United States meaning that costs are low and stable, and shale gas is relatively the least polluting non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be regarded as the greener option.
If you already have a natural gas line in your home, or are completing a new house you should think about the potential benefits of choosing natural gas and natural gas appliances. Read more about gas appliances here from Ideal Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?
A natural gas appliance makes use of natural gas as the dominant power source. Gas appliances afford a great alternative to electrically powered devices.
In many situations gas appliances nevertheless require an electrical outlet but use natural gas as the major source of power. The amount of electric needed depends on the type of appliance. E.g, a gas boiler will work even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still relies upon electricity to make the drum turn.
Types of Natural Gas Home Appliances
Natural gas can have many uses in your house.
Heating
Providing heat with natural gas usually costs less than providing heat using electricity. Your outgoings could be cut in half subject to your energy prices and efficiency.
Gas heats the air in less time and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.
Fireplaces
As well as keeping your home warm 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 natural gas fire, you still get all the ambiance and plenty of warmth without the hassle.
Cooling Your Home
Gas can offer an effective way to keep your home cool, even if there is a power outage.
Gas fueled air conditioning are often more costly to install but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Superior performance also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Water Heating
Natural gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are quicker and more fuel efficient than their electric alternatives. On-demand heaters also offer a continuous supply.
The fact that natural gas lines are generally dug into the ground and protected from the weather means you still have the ability to shower even if you don’t have electricity.
Cooking Food
We’ve all heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great marketing strategy created to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is accurate. The majority of chefs choose natural gas for the ease with which you can vary the size of the flame, and gas hobs are also a less wasteful way of converting fuel into heat.
Dryers
Natural gas might not be the first place your mind goes when it comes to laundry, however, natural gas dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers operate a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in a shorter time.
Outdoor Living
Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. When it comes to outdoor entertaining, gas is a popular choice for lighting and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.
delight your guests as soon as they arrive with outdoor lighting, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get food cooked outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your propane bottles.
Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as quickly as an electric equivalent. And natural gas outdoor heaters give atmosphere as well as offering warmth for perfect indoor-outdoor living.
Benefits of Natural Gas Home Appliances
As with anything there are pros and cons to gas appliances. First up the pros.
- Choosing gas will reduce your energy bills.
- Natural gas devices tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Natural gas is an eco-friendly option as it is the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
- Natural gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can still heat your home even if the power goes out.
Negatives of Natural gas Home Appliances
- Gas devices tend to 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 looking at next to electrical goods.
- Installing a new gas line can be costly. The cost will vary depending on a number of factors.
- Moving or extending a gas line can also require a big outlay so this should always be included in any price analysis.
- Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas appliances are not properly installed or not maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use gas in your home.
Is a Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?
Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the optimal choice for you probably won’t be the optimal choice for everyone.
If your main driver is cost natural gas is currently the lower priced option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, switching to gas comes at a cost. Thus, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.
Another reason to choose natural gas is stability of supply. If power cuts are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can be a big plus.
Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas home appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical appliances. Opting for renewable energy may turn out to be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly options in the long run.