Gas Appliances

Considering natural gas home appliances could be a good option to save money at the same time as seeing increases in performance and productivity.

Gas is in plentiful supply in the United States meaning that prices per unit are low and stable, and gas is considered to be the least polluting non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be viewed as the greener choice.

If you already have a gas line in your house, or are buying a new home you might look at the potential benefits of using more gas and natural gas home appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances below from Roy Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Home Appliances?

A gas device makes use of natural gas as the main fuel source. Natural gas home appliances afford a practicable substitute for electrically powered devices.

In many instances gas devices nonetheless require an electrical outlet but use natural gas as the major fuel. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a natural gas stove will still work even if the power goes out, whereas a gas dryer still requires electrical components.

Different Natural Gas Appliances

Natural gas isn’t just for heating.

Heating

Keeping yourself warm with gas is generally less expensive than keeping warm using electrical heaters. Your expenditure could be cut in half depending on your fuel tariffs and efficiency.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.

An Indoor Fire

As well as general heating gas is ideal for having a fire in your home. With a gas fireplace, you still get real flames and a warm home without the fuss.

Cooling

Gas can offer an efficient way to cool your home, even if there is a power failure.

Natural gas air conditioning may be more expensive to install but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning lower prices in the long term. Superior effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Water Heaters

Gas water boilers come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are quicker and more fuel efficient than electric water boilers. Tankless heaters also offer a continuous supply.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally dug into the ground and protected from the weather means you can still have the ability to wash even when you don’t have electricity.

Cooking

Most people have encountered the saying “cooking with gas”. A great marketing line designed to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase is used today because it is true. The majority of chefs and amature cooks choose natural gas for the ease with which you can control the heat, and natural gas ranges also offer a more cost effective way of turning fuel into heat.

Dryers

Gas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to laundry, however, gas dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers dry clothes a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in less time.

Outdoor Living

Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. When it comes to outdoor entertaining, natural gas is often used for patio lights and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.

Impress friends before they even get out of the car with driveway lights, keep them warm 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 domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as quickly as an electric heater. And natural gas patio heaters give ambiance as well as offering comfort for the best indoor-outdoor living.

Advantages of Gas Home Appliances

As in all things there are pros and cons to gas home appliances. First up the pros.

Choosing gas will reduce your power bills.
Gas devices tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
Gas is an environmentally responsible choice as it is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can continue to heat your home even if the power goes out.At worst you might need to find a match.

Cons of Gas Home Appliances

Gas appliances generally have a higher initial cost. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be greater for a gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
Having a natural gas line installed can be expensive. The cost will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your provider before making any decisions.
Having a gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount so this should always be added to any price analysis.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas devices are not properly installed 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 natural gas and electricity is not straightforward and the right choice for you might not be the optimal choice for everyone.

If your main driver is cost natural gas is at the moment the cheaper fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, switching to gas comes at a cost. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.

Another key advantage 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 power cuts can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical devices. Opting for renewable energy may turn out to be more cost-effective and more sustainable options in the long run.