Gas Appliances

Considering switching to natural gas appliances might be a way to save money at the same time as experiencing gains in comfort, convenience and efficiency.

Natural gas abundant in the United States meaning that prices per unit are low and stable, and gas is looked upon as the cleanest non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be seen as the environmentally responsible alternative.

If you already have gas installed at home, or are completing a new dwelling you should look at the potential gains of using more natural gas and natural gas appliances.

Read more about gas appliances here from Storm Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Home Appliances?

A gas home appliance employs natural gas as the primary power source. Gas home appliances present a workable substitute to electrically powered appliances.

In most instances natural gas home appliances nonetheless will need an electricity supply but use gas as the main source of power. The amount of electricity used depends on how the appliance works. E.g, a natural gas water heater will produce hot water even when there is a power outage, whereas a natural gas tumble dryer still requires electrical components.

A List of Home Appliances That Run On Gas.

Natural gas can be used for more than heating.

Proving Heat

Heating your home with gas generally costs less than heating your home using electricity. The reduction can be as much as 50% depending on your energy 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

Aside from general heating gas is ideal for having a fire in your home.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a gas fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and a warm home without the hassle.

Cooling

Gas air conditioners can offer an adept way to keep cool, even if there is a power failure.

Gas powered air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Higher performance has the added upside of reducing your C02 emissions.

Water Heating

Natural gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are faster and more fuel efficient than their electric alternatives. On-demand heaters also give a continuous supply. Invaluable if you have a big household that indulges in long showers.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally underground and guarded from the elements means you will still have the ability to heat your home even when there’s a power outage.

Preparing Food

Everyone has come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great commercial line created to link the use of gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the origin the phrase is still around because it is valid. Most chefs and home cooks choose gas for the fact that they can control the heat, and natural gas ranges also offer a more cost effective way of turning energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You may not instantly think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, natural gas dryers have many advantages. They dry clothes at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Living

Did you know you don’t just have to use natural gas inside your home? Outside, gas is a popular choice for lighting and food prep and even to heat your spa.

Impress friends before they even reach the front door with path lights, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get food cooked outside, when you like, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as quickly as an electric heater. And gas fire pits offer atmosphere as well as providing heat for perfect indoor-outdoor living.

Benefits of Gas Appliances

With any decision you make it makes sense to weight up the pros and the cons. Here are some of the pros.

Choosing gas will save you money on your energy bills.
Gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an environmentally responsible choice as it is the least polluting of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Natural gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can still cool your home even if there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.

Negatives of Natural gas Home Appliances

Gas devices tend to require a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be greater for a gas appliance when comparing to electrical alternatives.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The price will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your provider before making a final decision.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount so this should be included in any cost comparisons.
Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas home appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

Making the decision between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the best choice for you may not be the best choice for everyone.

Currently natural 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 natural gas, switching to gas comes at a cost. Thus, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good first step.

Another benefit of gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power failures are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power cuts can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while gas home appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical appliances. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.