Thinking about natural gas home appliances could be a way to lower expenditures at the same time as seeing higher levels of comfort, convenience and efficiency.
Shale gas abundant in the US meaning that prices are low and stable, and natural gas is viewed as the cleanest fossil fuel, therefore, it can be seen as the least environmentally damaging option.
If you already have a natural gas line in your house, or are building a new dwelling you might think about the likely gains of natural gas devices and natural gas appliances.
Learn more about gas appliances here from EZ Whittier Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?
A gas home appliance uses gas as the main power source. Natural gas appliances afford a great alternative for electrically powered home appliances for heating your house, providing hot water, cooking food and even cooling your home and tumble drying.
In general 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 gas boiler will still work even when there is a power outage, whereas a gas dryer still relies upon electrical components.
A List of Devices That use Gas.
Gas can be used for more than cooking.
Heating
Providing heat with gas usually costs less than keeping warm with electricity. Your costs could halve depending on your fuel costs and efficiency.
Gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.
Fireplaces
As well as general heating 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 gas fireplace, you still get real flames and a focal point without the mess.
Air Conditioning
Natural gas air conditioning can be an adept method to cool your home, even if there is a power failure.
Natural gas air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning lower prices in the long term. Better effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Water Heating
Gas water boilers come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are more rapid and more fuel efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless heaters also give a continuous supply.
The fact that natural gas lines are usually hidden and protected from the elements ensures you still have the ability to heat your home even if you don’t have electricity.
Cooking
Everyone has heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great commercial line designed to link the use of natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is accurate. Most chefs choose gas for the fact that they can vary the heat, and natural gas stoves are also a much more efficient way of converting fuel into heat.
Tumble Dryers
Natural gas might not be the first place your mind goes when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas clothes dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers heat the air at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time.
Using Gas Outside
You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. Outside the home, gas is a popular choice for patio lights and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.
Impress your guests before they even get out of the car with driveway lights, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get dinner ready outside, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your propane bottles.
Just like domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as quickly as an electric heater. And gas outdoor heaters offer ambiance as well as giving warmth for the best outside entertaining.
Benefits of Gas Appliances
As in all things there are pros and cons to gas home appliances. Here are some of the benefits.
- Choosing natural gas will save you money on your energy bills.
- Gas devices tend to use less energy making them better for your wallet and for the planet.
- Natural gas is an ecologically sound option as it is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
- Gas lines are generally run underground making supply more reliable. This means you can still cool your home even if the power goes out.At worst you might need to find a match.
Disadvantages of Gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas home appliances tend to require a higher initial outlay. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be greater.
- Installing a new gas line can be expensive. The price will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your energy company before deciding.
- Moving or extending a gas line can also require a big outlay so this should be added to any cost comparisons.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.
Should You Choose Gas?
Making the decision between natural gas and electricity is not always simple and the right choice for you probably won’t be the best choice for everyone.
Currently natural gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the price is your main motivation this can be a major factor in the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing gas comes at a cost. Therefore, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.
Another reason to choose natural gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power cuts happen often in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power failures can be a big plus.
Finally, the eco-friendly credentials of natural gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical goods. Opting for renewable energy could be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly options in the long run.