Gas Appliances

Considering switching to gas devices might be a way to save money at the same time as experiencing increases in ease, efficiency and performance.

There is a high supply of natural gas in the United States resulting in low, stable costs, and shale gas is considered to be the cleanest non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be viewed as the greener choice.

If you already have a gas line at home, or are building a new dwelling you may wish to consider the probable benefits of switching to gas and natural gas home appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances here from Ready Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Home Appliances?

A gas home appliance employs gas as the dominant power source. These devices are a workable alternative to electrical appliances.

In most instances natural gas appliances nevertheless require an electricity supply but use natural gas as the main fuel. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a natural gas boiler will produce hot water even when there is a power outage, whereas a gas dryer still needs electrical components.

A List of Devices That Use Natural Gas

Natural gas is about more than heating.

Heating

Providing heat with gas typically costs less than keeping warm using electrical heaters. Your costs could halve subject to your energy costs and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.This is very handy if you experience regular power outages in the winter

A Fireplace

Aside from heating gas is great for a fireplace.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fire, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the fuss.

Air Conditioning

Natural gas air conditioning can be an efficient way to cool your home, even if there is a power outage.

Natural gas powered air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Superior efficiency also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Water Heating

Natural gas water boilers come in two styles, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are faster and more efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless heaters also provide a continuous supply. Handy if you have a big household that enjoys long showers.

The fact that gas lines are usually hidden and guarded from the elements ensures you can still have hot water even if there’s a power outage.

Cooking

Everyone has encountered the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great advertising strategy conceived to link the use of natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase is used today because it is accurate. A great many chefs and home cooks choose gas for the fact that they can control the heat, and natural gas hobs are also a less wasteful way of converting fuel into heat.

Clothes Dryers

You might not instantly think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, gas dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers heat the air a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Living

Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside the home, gas is a popular choice for lighting and outdoor cooking and even to heat your pool.

delight your guests as soon as they arrive with outdoor lights, keep them warm even when the temperature drops and get the food cooking outside, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric heater. And natural gas patio heaters give atmosphere as well as providing warmth for the best indoor-outdoor living.

Pros of Natural Gas Appliances

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

Choosing natural gas will reduce your utility bills.
Gas devices tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
Gas is an environmentally responsible choice as it is viewed as the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide 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 there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.

Disadvantages of Natural gas Home Appliances

Gas appliances tend to are subject to a higher initial cost. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be more for a gas appliance when comparing to electrical alternatives.
Having a gas line installed can be expensive. The cost will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also require a big outlay so this should be added to any cost benefit analysis.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas devices are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

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

Currently natural gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the price 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. Thus, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.

Another reason to choose natural gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts happen often in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power cuts can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, the sustainability credentials of natural gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical goods. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump could be more cost-effective and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.