Considering natural gas home appliances may be a way to reduce your bills while experiencing higher levels of ease, efficiency and performance.
There is a abundant supply of shale gas in the US meaning that costs are low and stable, and natural gas is relatively the least polluting non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be regarded as the most eco-friendly alternative.
If you already have natural gas installed at home, or are completing a new dwelling you should think about the likely advantages of choosing gas and natural gas appliances. Learn more about gas appliances below from Chico Appliance Repair:
What is a Natural Gas Home Appliance?
A natural gas device makes use of gas as the dominant power source. Natural gas home appliances present a great substitute for electrically powered devices.
In general you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electric needed depends on how the appliance works. For example, a gas boiler will work even if the power goes out, whereas a gas tumble dryer still requires electricity to make the drum turn.
A List of Home Appliances That use Natural Gas.
Natural gas could have any number of purposes in your home.
Heating
Keeping yourself warm with natural gas is typically less expensive than heating your home using electrical heaters. Your costs could halve depending on your fuel tariffs and relative efficiency gains.
Gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.
An Indoor Fire
Aside from keeping your home warm gas is ideal for a fireplace.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and a warm home without the fuss.
Cooling
Gas can be an adept way to cool your home.
Natural gas air conditioning could be a higher price to install but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning cost savings in the long term. Better performance also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Water Heating
There are two styles of gas water heaters, non-tank and tank. Natural gas heaters are faster and more efficient than their electric alternatives. Tankless water heaters also give a continuous supply. Handy if you have a big household that indulges in long showers.
The fact that gas lines are almost always dug into the ground and protected from the elements means you will still have the ability to wash even when there’s a power outage.
Cooking Food
Most people have encountered the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line conceived to link gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Regardless of the origin the phrase stuck because it is valid. The majority of chefs and amature cooks choose natural gas for the fact that they can vary the temperature, and gas stoves also offer a less wasteful way of turning energy into heat.
Dryers
You may not instantly think of using natural gas to dry your clothes, however, natural gas tumble dryers are a great choice. They operate a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Outdoor Entertaining
Did you know you don’t just have to use natural gas inside your home? Outside, natural gas is a popular choice for lighting and outdoor cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.
delight guests before they even reach the front door with outdoor lights, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get dinner ready outside at the perfect temperature, 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 quickly as an electric equivalent. And gas fire pits set the mood as well as providing comfort for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.
Benefits of Gas Home Appliances
As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas devices. Here are some of the advantages.
- Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual utility bills.
- Natural gas devices tend to use less energy making them better for your wallet and for the planet.
- Natural gas is an eco-friendly selection as it is considered the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
- Natural gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can still heat your home even if you get a power outage.
Negatives of Natural Gas Appliances
- Natural gas appliances usually require a higher initial cost. Both the cost of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be more for a natural gas appliance when looking at next to electrical appliances.
- Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The cost will vary depending on a number of factors.
- Having a gas line moved or extended can also require a big outlay.
- Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas appliances are not properly installed or not maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.
Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?
Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not always simple and the best choice for you probably won’t be the optimal 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 big part of the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, converting to gas is expensive. Therefore, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.
Another key advantage of natural gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power failures happen often in your area then having appliances that continue to work during outages can be a big plus.
Finally, in environmental terms, while gas home appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Installing renewable energy could be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.