Gas Appliances

Thinking about switching to gas appliances could be a way to lower expenditures while experiencing gains in performance and productivity.

There is a abundant supply of gas in the United States meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and shale gas is looked upon as the cleanest non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be seen as the greener alternative.

If you already have gas installed in your house, or are completing a new dwelling you should think about the likely advantages of switching to natural gas and natural gas home appliances.

Read more about gas appliances here from Owens Appliance Repair:

What is a Natural Gas Appliance?

A gas home appliance employs gas as the main fuel source. Gas appliances are a workable substitute to electrical home appliances.

Usually you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a natural gas stove can still be used even when there is a power outage, whereas a natural gas dryer still relies upon electricity.

A List of Devices That Operate Using Natural Gas.

Natural gas is not just for heating.

Heating

Heating your home with gas usually costs less than providing heat using electrical appliances. Your expenditure could be cut in half subject to your fuel tariffs and relative efficiency gains.

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

Fireplaces

Aside from heating gas is ideal for a fireplace. With a natural gas fire, you still get real flames and plenty of warmth without the hassle.

Keeping Cool

Gas air conditioning can offer an efficient means to cool your home.

Gas fueled air conditioning could be more costly initially but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Higher performance has the added upside of reducing your C02 emissions.

Water Heating

There are two styles of natural gas water boilers, non-tank and tank. Gas heaters are faster and more fuel efficient than their electric alternatives. On-demand heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that gas lines are almost always underground and protected from the elements ensures you will still have heating even if you don’t have electricity.

Preparing Food

We’ve all come across the saying “cooking with gas”. A great commercial line conceived to link the use of natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the etiology the saying stuck because it is accurate. A great many chefs choose natural gas for the fact that they can control the size of the flame, and gas ranges also offer a much more efficient way of converting energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You may not instantly think of using gas to dry your clothes, however, natural gas dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers dry clothes at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time.

Outdoor Entertaining

Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? Outside, natural gas is often used for lighting and food prep and even to heat your pool.

Wow your guests before they even get out of the car with path lights, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside, when you like, 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 outdoor heaters offer atmosphere as well as giving heat for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Advantages of Natural Gas Appliances

With any decision you make it’s best weight up the pros and the cons. Here are some of the benefits.

Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual utility bills.
Gas home appliances tend to use less energy making them better for your wallet and for the environment.
Gas is an eco-friendly selection as it is considered the least polluting of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less C02 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 continue to cool your home even if there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.

Cons of Natural gas Home Appliances

Gas appliances generally are subject to a higher initial investment. Both the cost of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be greater for a 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 a number of factors.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also cost a considerable amount.
Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas appliances are not properly installed or not maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Should You Choose Natural Gas?

Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the right choice for you may not be the best choice for everyone.

If your main driver is cost 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, converting to natural gas is expensive. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.

Another benefit of gas is stability of supply. If power cuts are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during outages can be a big plus.

Finally, in environmental terms, while gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Opting for renewable energy may turn out to be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.