Gas Appliances

Thinking about natural gas home appliances might be a way to save money at the same time as experiencing gains in comfort and efficiency.

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

If you already have a natural gas line in your home, or are building a new dwelling you should consider the potential benefits of switching to gas and gas household appliances.

Read more about gas appliances here from Elizabeth Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Home Appliance?

A gas appliance employs gas as the primary power source. Natural gas devices afford a great substitute to electrical goods for heating your house, providing hot water, heating your food and even cooling your home and tumble drying.

In many situations gas devices nevertheless require an electricity supply but use natural gas as the main source of power. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a natural gas furnace can still be used even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas dryer still requires electricity.

Examples of Natural Gas Appliances

Gas can have any number of purposes in your house.

Proving Heat

Keeping yourself warm with gas is typically less expensive than keeping warm with electricity. Your expenditure could halve subject to your fuel tariffs and efficiency.

Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.

An Indoor Fire

Apart from heating natural gas is ideal for a log fire with real flames. With a gas fireplace, you still get real flames and a focal point without the fuss.

Air Conditioning

Natural gas can offer an efficient means to cool your home.

Natural gas powered air conditioning are often more expensive initially but is better value to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Superior performance has the added positive impact of lowering your carbon footprint.

Hot Water

Gas water boilers come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are more rapid and more efficient than their electric counterparts. On-demand heaters also provide a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that gas lines are almost always dug into the ground and guarded from the weather means you can still have the ability to wash even when you don’t have electricity.

Preparing Food

We’ve all heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line conceived to link the use of natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the etiology the phrase stuck because it is valid. The majority of chefs choose natural gas for the ability to vary the size of the flame, and natural gas ranges are also a much more efficient way of converting fuel into heat.

Clothes Dryers

You might not instantly think of using natural gas to dry your clothes, however, gas dryers have many advantages. They work a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Entertaining

You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, gas is a great power source for patio lights and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.

Impress your guests before they even get out of the car with driveway lights, keep them cosy even when the temperature drops and get a meal prepared outside, when you like, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as quickly as an electric heater. And gas outdoor heaters set the mood as well as giving comfort for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Pros of Gas Appliances

As in all things there are pros and cons to gas home appliances. Here are some of the advantages.

Choosing natural gas will save you money on your utility bills.
Natural gas home appliances tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an environmentally responsible option as it is the least polluting of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Gas lines are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to heat your home even if you get a power outage.

Cons of Natural Gas Appliances

Natural gas home appliances generally have a higher initial cost. Both the price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be higher.
Having a natural gas line installed can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your supplier before making any decisions.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas appliances are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the optimal choice for you might not be the optimal choice for everyone.

Currently gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the price is your main motivation 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 gas, converting to gas comes at a cost. Therefore, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.

Another reason to choose gas is stability of supply. If power cuts are common where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can be a big plus.

Finally, the environmental credentials of gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical home appliances. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump could be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.