Gas Appliances

Considering switching to natural gas devices may be an option to lower expenditures while seeing higher levels of ease, efficiency and performance.

There is a abundant supply of natural gas in the US meaning that prices are low and stable, and natural gas is looked upon as the least polluting fossil fuel, thus, it can be seen as the environmentally responsible choice.

If you already have gas installed in your house, or are buying a new home you might think about the possible advantages of gas appliances and natural gas home appliances. Learn more about gas appliances here from Leading Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Home Appliance?

A gas device runs on natural gas as the dominant power source. Natural gas goods offer a practicable substitute to electrically powered home appliances for heating your living space, providing hot water, heating food and even cooling your home and clothes drying.

Usually you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas water heater will produce hot water even during a power cut, whereas a gas dryer still needs electrical components to make the drum turn.

Examples of Natural Gas Appliances

Natural gas has many uses in your home.

Proving Heat

Keeping yourself warm with gas is generally less expensive than heating your home using electricity. Your expenditure could be cut in half subject to your energy tariffs and efficiency.

Natural gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.

Fireplaces

Aside from general heating natural gas is ideal 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 fire, you still get that open fire feeling and plenty of warmth without the hassle.

Cooling Your Home

Natural gas can offer an efficient way to keep your home cool.

Gas powered air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is better value to run and maintain meaning cost savings in the long term. Superior efficiency has the added positive impact of reducing your C02 emissions.

Hot Water

There are two styles of gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Natural gas heaters are more rapid and more fuel efficient than their electric substitutes. On-demand water heaters also give a continuous supply. Handy if you have a big family that enjoys long showers.

The fact that gas lines are almost always hidden and sheltered from the elements means you can still have hot water even when there’s a power outage.

Preparing Food

Everyone has encountered the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line designed to link the use of natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the etiology the phrase has stuck around because it is accurate. A great many chefs and amateur cooks choose gas for the fact that they can vary the size of the flame, and gas ranges provide a more cost effective way of turning fuel into heat.

Dryers

You may not immediately think of using gas to dry your clothes, however, natural gas clothes dryers can be an excellent choice. They dry clothes at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Entertaining

Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, natural gas is often used for patio lights and food prep and even to heat your spa.

Impress guests before they even get out of the car with driveway lights, keep them warm on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And gas fire pits set the mood as well as providing warmth for perfect outside entertaining.

Pros of Natural Gas Home Appliances

With any decision you make it’s best weight up the pros and the cons. First up the benefits.

Natural gas is generally less expensive than electricity saving you money on your annual energy costs.
Gas devices tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an ecologically sound selection as it is considered the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply more reliable. This means you can still cool your home even if the power goes out.

Negatives of Natural gas Appliances

Gas home appliances generally have a higher initial investment. Both the value of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be higher for a gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be costly. The cost will vary depending on a number of factors.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount so this should be added to any cost benefit analysis.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas home appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?

Making the change between gas and electricity is not always simple and the best choice for you may not be the best 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, switching to natural gas is expensive. Thus, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.

Another reason to choose gas is stability of supply. If power outages happen often in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power cuts can be a huge benefit.

Finally, the eco-friendly credentials of natural gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical devices. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump could be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly options in the long run.