Gas Appliances

Thinking about natural gas appliances could be a good option to save money while seeing higher levels of performance and productivity.

There is a high supply of natural gas in the US resulting in low, stable equivalent prices, and shale gas is relatively the least polluting fossil fuel, thus, it can be seen as the most eco-friendly choice.

If you already have a gas line in your home, or are completing a new house you may wish to think about the potential benefits of switching to natural gas and gas household appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances here from Rowe Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Home Appliance?

A natural gas device uses natural gas as the primary fuel source. Gas devices present a viable alternative to electrical home appliances.

In the majority of cases gas home appliances nevertheless require an electrical outlet but use natural gas as the primary source of power. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas boiler will still work even when there is a power outage, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still relies upon electrical components to make the drum turn.

A List of Appliances That Run On Natural Gas.

Natural gas has many purposes in your house.

Proving Heat

Keeping yourself warm with natural gas is generally less expensive than heating with electricity. The difference can be up to 50% depending on your energy costs and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas heats the air more efficiently and is more reliable.

A Fireplace

Apart from general heating gas is great for a fireplace. With a gas fire, you still get real flames and a warm home without the fuss.

Cooling Your Home

Gas can be an efficient means to keep cool.

Natural gas air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning cost savings in the long term. Superior efficiency also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Water Heaters

Gas water heaters come in two styles, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are quicker and more efficient than their electric substitutes. On-demand heaters also provide a continuous supply.

The fact that gas lines are almost always hidden and guarded from the elements means you will still have hot water even when you don’t have electricity.

Cooking Food

Most people have encountered the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is true. The majority of chefs choose natural gas for the ability to vary the size of the flame, and natural gas hobs also offer a much more efficient way of turning energy into heat.

Clothes Dryers

Gas might not be the immediate place your mind goes when it comes to drying clothes, however, gas dryers have many advantages. They heat the air a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in less time.

Using Natural Gas Outside

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

Impress friends as soon as they arrive with outdoor lighting, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get food cooked outside, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as quickly as an electric heater. And gas patio heaters give atmosphere as well as giving warmth for luxurious outside living.

Advantages of Natural Gas Appliances

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

Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual power bills.
Natural gas devices tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an environmentally responsible choice as it is considered the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Natural gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can still heat water even if the power goes out.

Disadvantages of Gas Home Appliances

Gas home appliances generally have a higher initial investment. Both the value of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be higher.
Having a natural gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The cost will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also be expensive.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas home appliances are not installed correctly or not maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

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

Currently gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the cost 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, retrospectively installing natural gas comes at a cost. Thus, 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 benefit of gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power outages happen often where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can be a big plus.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical devices. Installing renewable energy may turn out to be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly options in the long run.