Looking at gas home appliances might be a good option to reduce your bills while experiencing gains in comfort and efficiency.
There is a high supply of gas in the United States meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and natural gas is considered to be the cleanest non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be seen as the greener choice.
If you already have a natural gas line in your house, or are buying a new dwelling you may wish to think about the possible benefits of switching to natural gas and gas appliances. Read more about gas appliances below from Nashua Appliance Repair:
What is a Natural Gas Home Appliance?
A gas home appliance employs gas as the main fuel source. Gas devices present a viable substitute for electrical devices.
In the majority of instances gas home appliances nevertheless will need an electrical outlet but use gas as the major fuel. The amount of electric needed depends on the type of appliance. For example, a gas water heater will still work even when there is a power outage, whereas a gas clothes dryer still requires electricity to make the drum turn.
A List of Devices That Run On Natural Gas
Natural gas can have any number of purposes in your house.
Heating
Keeping yourself warm with gas is generally less expensive than providing heat with electricity. Your costs could be cut in half subject to your fuel prices and relative efficiency gains.
Gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.
A Fireplace
Aside from heating 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 natural gas fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and a warm home without the fuss.
Cooling Your Home
Natural gas air conditioners can be an efficient way to cool your home, even if there is a power outage.
Gas powered air conditioning are often a higher price initially but is better value to run and maintain meaning lower prices in the long term. Superior efficiency also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Water Heaters
There are two styles of natural gas water boilers, non-tank and tank. Gas heaters are more rapid and more productive than their electric counterparts. Tankless heaters also provide a continuous supply even with high demand. Invaluable if you have a big household that indulges in long showers.
The fact that natural gas lines are generally dug into the ground and protected from the weather ensures you can still have heating even when you don’t have electricity.
Preparing Food
We’ve all come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great marketing line conceived to link gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Regardless of the origin the phrase is still around because it is true. Most chefs and home cooks choose natural gas for the ability to vary the temperature, and gas ranges are also a less wasteful way of turning energy into heat.
Dryers
You may not instantly think of using gas to dry your clothes, however, gas clothes dryers can be an excellent choice. Gas Dryers operate at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Outdoor Entertaining
Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside the home, gas is a popular choice for patio lights and outdoor cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.
delight your guests before they even get out of the car with path lights, keep them warm even when the temperature falls and get food cooked outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.
Just like domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And gas patio heaters set the mood as well as offering comfort for luxurious indoor-outdoor living.
Advantages of Natural Gas Appliances
As in all things there are pros and cons to gas devices. Here are some of the benefits.
- Gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual energy bills.
- Natural gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them a more sustainable choice for your wallet and for the planet.
- Gas is an environmentally responsible choice as it is viewed as the least polluting of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide 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 still heat your home even if you get a power outage.
Negatives of Natural gas Home Appliances
- Gas devices generally require a higher initial outlay. Both the value of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be greater.
- Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be costly. The price will vary depending on a number of factors.
- Having a natural 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 installed correctly or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.
Should You Choose Natural Gas?
Making the decision between gas and electricity is not straightforward and the optimal choice for you may not be the right decision for everyone.
Currently gas is almost always cheaper 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 is expensive. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good first step.
Another benefit of natural gas is stability of supply. If power cuts happen often where you live then having appliances that continue to work during outages can be a huge benefit.
Finally, the environmental credentials of gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical appliances. Opting for renewable energy could be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.