Gas Appliances

Looking at natural gas home appliances might be a good option to lower expenditures at the same time as experiencing higher levels of ease, efficiency and performance.

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

If you already have gas installed at home, or are buying a new house you may wish to think about the probable benefits of using more gas and natural gas appliances. Read more about gas appliances below from Ready Reno Appliance Repair:

What is a Natural Gas Appliance?

A natural gas home appliance runs on natural gas as the dominant fuel source. Natural gas goods present a practicable substitute to electrically powered home appliances for heating your house, providing hot water, cooking food and even cooling your home and tumble drying.

In general you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electric used depends on the type of appliance. E.g, a gas boiler will work even during a power cut, whereas a gas clothes dryer still requires electricity to make the drum turn.

Different Natural Gas Home Appliances

Gas can have many uses in your house.

Keeping You Warm

Providing heat with natural gas is typically less expensive than heating using electricity. Your costs could be cut in half subject to your energy tariffs and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.

A Fireplace

As well as keeping your home warm natural gas is perfect for having a fire in your home. With a gas fire, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the fuss.

Keeping Cool

Gas air conditioning can be an efficient way to keep cool, even if there is a power failure.

Natural gas fueled air conditioning may be a higher price to install but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Superior efficiency also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Water Heating

There are two styles of gas water boilers, non-tank and tank. Gas heaters are faster and more efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless water heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand. Which is useful if you have a big family that appreciates long showers.

The fact that gas lines are generally dug into the ground and protected from the weather ensures you can still have hot water even if there’s a power outage.

Preparing Food

We’ve all come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great commercial line designed to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase is used today because it is valid. The majority of chefs choose gas for the fact that they can control the heat, and gas hobs are also a more cost effective way of turning fuel into heat.

Clothes Dryers

Natural gas might not be the immediate thing you think of when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas tumble dryers can be an excellent choice. They dry clothes a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in less time.

Outdoor Living

You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, gas is a great power source for lighting and outdoor cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.

Wow guests before they even get out of the car with path lighting, keep them toasty even when the temperature falls and get the food cooking 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 quickly as an electric heater. And natural gas outdoor heaters set the mood as well as giving comfort for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Benefits of Gas Home Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas home appliances. First up the benefits.

Gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual utility costs.
Natural gas appliances tend to use less energy making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the planet.
Gas is an environmentally responsible choice as it is viewed as the least polluting of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Natural gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can still cool your home even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Disadvantages of Natural Gas Home Appliances

Gas home appliances generally require a higher initial investment. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be higher for a gas appliance when comparing to electrical appliances.
Having a natural gas line installed can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
Moving or extending a gas line can also cost a considerable amount so this should be included in any cost benefit analysis.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas appliances are not installed correctly or not maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Should You Choose Natural Gas?

Making the change between gas and electricity is not always simple and the best choice for you might not be the optimal decision for everyone.

Currently gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the cost 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 natural gas is expensive. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.

Another key advantage of gas is stability of supply. If power outages are common in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, the eco-friendly credentials of natural gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical goods. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump could be a better investment and more sustainable options in the long run.