Gas Appliances

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Considering switching to gas home appliances could be an option to save money while seeing increases in performance and productivity.

Natural gas easy to extract in the US resulting in low, stable equivalent prices, and shale gas is relatively the cleanest non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be viewed as the environmentally responsible choice.

If you already have a natural gas line in your house, or are building a new house you may wish to think about the possible benefits of gas devices and natural gas household appliances.

What is a Natural Gas Appliance?

A gas home appliance runs on natural gas as the dominant fuel source. These devices afford a workable alternative for electrically powered devices for heating your living space, heating water, cooking your food and even air conditioning and drying your clothes.

Usually you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a natural gas range can still be used even when there is a power outage, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still requires electricity.

A List of Devices That Run On Natural Gas

Natural gas has many purposes in your home.

Keeping You Warm

Heating your home with gas usually costs less than keeping warm with electricity. Savings can be up to 50% depending on your fuel tariffs and relative efficiency gains.

Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter 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 great 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 real flames and a focal point without the mess.

Keeping Cool

Gas air conditioners can offer an effective method to keep cool.

Natural gas air conditioning are often more costly to begin with 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 Heating

There are two types of gas water boilers, on demand and tank. Natural gas heaters are more rapid and more productive than electric water heaters. On-demand heaters also provide a continuous supply.

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

Cooking Food

Everyone has heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great marketing line conceived to link natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the etiology the phrase is used today because it is accurate. Most chefs and amateur cooks choose natural gas for the ease with which you can vary the temperature, and gas ranges are also a less wasteful way of turning energy into heat.

Clothes Dryers

Natural gas might not be the immediate place your mind goes when it comes to laundry, however, natural gas clothes dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers heat the air at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Using Natural Gas Outside

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

delight your guests before they even get out of the car with outdoor lights, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get the food cooking outside at the perfect temperature, when you like, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric heater. And natural gas patio heaters set the mood as well as offering heat for perfect outside living.

Pros of Natural Gas Home Appliances

With any decision you make it makes sense to look at the pros and the cons. First up the pros.

Choosing natural gas will cut your power bills.
Gas home appliances tend to use less energy making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the environment.
Gas is an ecologically sound option as it is considered the least polluting of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Natural gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to cool your home even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Disadvantages of Natural gas Appliances

Gas devices usually are subject to a higher initial cost. Both the cost of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be more for a natural gas appliance when comparing to electrical appliances.
Having a gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your provider before deciding.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also cost a considerable amount.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas home appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

Making the decision between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the best choice for you probably won’t be the best choice for everyone.

Currently 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 gas, retrospectively installing natural gas comes at a cost. Thus, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good first step.

Another reason to choose gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts happen often where you live then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, the eco-friendly credentials of gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Opting for renewable energy could be more cost-effective and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.