Gas Appliances

Considering switching to natural gas devices could be a good option to reduce your bills at the same time as experiencing increases in performance and productivity.

There is a high supply of gas in the US resulting in low, stable prices per unit, and natural gas is looked upon as the cleanest non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be regarded as the least environmentally damaging alternative.

If you already have a gas line at home, or are buying a new house you should think about the potential gains of switching to natural gas and natural gas home appliances.

Read more about gas appliances below from Factory Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Appliance?

A gas appliance uses gas as the dominant fuel source. These goods offer a viable alternative to electrically powered home appliances.

In many situations natural gas devices still will need an electricity supply but use natural gas as the main fuel. The quantity electric used depends on how the appliance works. For example, a gas boiler will still work even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still relies upon electricity.

Types of Gas Appliances

Natural gas is about more than heating.

Proving Heat

Providing heat with gas usually costs less than keeping warm using electrical heaters. Savings can be as much as 50% subject to your energy costs and efficiency.

Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.

A Fireplace

Aside from keeping your home warm natural gas is perfect for a fireplace.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the fuss.

Air Conditioning

Gas air conditioning can be an efficient method to keep cool.

Gas air conditioning are often a higher price to install but is better value to run and maintain meaning cost savings in the long term. Better performance also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Water Heaters

There are two styles of gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Gas heaters are faster and more efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally dug into the ground and sheltered from the weather means you can still have hot water even if you don’t have electricity.

Cooking Food

Everyone has heard the saying “cooking with gas”. A great marketing strategy designed to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase has stuck around because it is valid. Most chefs and amateur cooks choose natural gas for the fact that they can vary the heat, and natural gas hobs provide a more cost effective way of converting fuel into heat.

Dryers

You may not immediately think of using gas in your laundry room, however, gas dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers heat the air at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time.

Outdoor Living

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

Impress guests before they even get out of the car with path lights, keep them warm on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside, when you like, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric heater. And gas fire pits set the mood as well as giving heat for the best indoor-outdoor living.

Benefits of Natural Gas Home Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas home appliances. First up the advantages.

Choosing natural gas will cut your energy bills.
Gas devices tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an eco-friendly selection as it is viewed as the least polluting 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 continue to cool your home even if the power goes out.

Negatives of Natural gas Home Appliances

Gas appliances generally have a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be greater for a natural gas appliance when comparing to electrical goods.
Having a natural gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be costly. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also require a big outlay so this should always be included in any price analysis.
Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas devices are not installed correctly or not maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance Right for You?

Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the optimal choice for you might not be the right decision for everyone.

Currently gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the price is your main driver 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, converting to natural gas is expensive. Therefore, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.

Another benefit of gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts happen often in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can count for a lot.

Finally, the environmental credentials of natural gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Installing renewable energy may turn out to be more cost-effective and more sustainable options in the long run.