Looking at natural gas home appliances may be a way to lower expenditures at the same time as experiencing higher levels of comfort and efficiency.
Natural gas abundant in the US meaning that costs are low and stable, and shale gas is considered to be the least polluting non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be regarded as the environmentally responsible alternative.
If you already have natural gas installed in your home, or are completing a new home you may wish to look at the potential benefits of choosing gas and gas household appliances. Read more about gas appliances here from Speedy Chino Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?
A natural gas device employs natural gas as the main fuel source. Gas goods present a great substitute to electrically powered appliances for heating your house, heating water, heating your food and even cooling your home and tumble drying.
In the majority of instances gas home appliances nonetheless will need an electricity supply but use natural gas as the main source of power. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas heater can still be used even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a gas dryer still requires electricity.
A List of Appliances That Operate Using Gas.
Natural gas could have many uses in your house.
Heating
Keeping yourself warm with natural gas generally costs less than heating with electricity. Your costs could halve depending on your fuel costs and relative efficiency gains.
Gas heats the air in less time and offers better reliability.
An Indoor Fire
As well as general heating gas is ideal for having a fire in your home.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and plenty of warmth without the mess.
Cooling Your Home
Gas can be an adept way to keep cool, even if there is a power outage.
Natural gas powered air conditioning can be a higher price initially but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Higher efficiency also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Water Heaters
There are two types of natural gas water boilers, non-tank and tank. Natural gas heaters are quicker and more efficient than their electric substitutes. Tankless water heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand.
The fact that gas lines are usually hidden and sheltered from the weather ensures you will still have heating even if there’s a power outage.
Cooking Food
Most people have come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link the use of natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is true. Most chefs choose natural gas for the fact that they can vary the heat, and natural gas hobs also offer a much more efficient way of converting fuel into heat.
Dryers
Gas might not be the first place your mind goes when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas clothes dryers are a great choice. They dry clothes a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Outdoor Entertaining
Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, natural gas is often used for patio lights and cooking and can even be used to heat your pool.
Wow your guests before they even reach the front door with driveway lights, keep them cosy even when the temperature drops and get the food cooking outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the need to remember to fill up your propane bottles.
Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And natural gas fire pits set the mood as well as offering heat for the best outside living.
Advantages of Natural Gas Appliances
As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas home appliances. First up the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.
- Natural gas is generally less expensive than electricity thus lowering your annual utility costs.
- Gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Gas is an ecologically sound option as it is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Natural gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can continue to cool your home even if you get a power outage.
Cons of Natural Gas Home Appliances
- Gas devices usually are subject to a higher initial outlay. Both the value of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be more.
- Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be costly. The price will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
- Moving or extending a natural gas line can also cost a considerable amount so this should always be included in any cost benefit analysis.
- Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas appliances are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.
Should You Choose Gas?
Making the change between gas and electricity is not straightforward and the right choice for you might not be the best choice for everyone.
If your main driver is cost gas is currently the cheaper option. 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, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.
Another key advantage of gas is stability of supply. If power outages are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during outages can be a huge benefit.
Finally, the environmental credentials of gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Installing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.