Gas Appliances

Considering natural gas devices could be an option to reduce your bills at the same time as experiencing higher levels of ease, efficiency and performance.

There is a high supply of natural gas in the US resulting in low, stable costs, and gas is looked upon as the least polluting fossil fuel, consequently, it can be seen as the greener alternative.

If you already have natural gas installed in your house, or are building a new dwelling you might consider the likely advantages of choosing natural gas and natural gas home appliances.

Read more about gas appliances here from Jet City Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Home Appliances?

A gas device uses gas as the primary power source. Natural gas goods offer a great alternative to electrically powered home appliances.

Generally you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electric needed 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 electricity.

A List of Home Appliances That Operate Using Gas.

Natural gas could have many uses in your home.

Keeping You Warm

Keeping yourself warm with natural gas is generally less expensive than keeping warm using electricity. Your outgoings could be cut in half subject to your fuel tariffs and efficiency.

Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.

Fireplaces

As well as heating natural gas is great for a fireplace.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fire, you still get real flames and plenty of warmth without the hassle.

Cooling Your Home

Natural gas can be an effective way to keep your home cool.

Gas fueled air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning lower prices in the long term. Superior effectiveness has the added positive impact of reducing your C02 emissions.

Heating Water

There are two styles of gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Gas heaters are more rapid and more fuel efficient than electric water boilers. On-demand heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand. Invaluable if you have a big family that indulges in long showers.

The fact that gas lines are usually dug into the ground and sheltered from the elements means you will still have hot water even if you don’t have electricity.

Preparing Food

Most people have heard the saying “cooking with gas”. A great marketing line designed to link gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the origin the saying stuck because it is accurate. Most chefs choose natural gas for the fact that they can vary the size of the flame, and natural gas ranges provide a much more efficient way of turning energy into heat.

Clothes Dryers

You might not immediately think of using gas to dry your clothes, however, natural gas clothes dryers can be an excellent choice. They operate a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Living

Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? Outside the home, natural gas is often used for lighting and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.

Impress friends before they even get out of the car with driveway lighting, keep them toasty even when the temperature drops and get the food cooking outside at the perfect temperature, when you like, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And gas fire pits set the mood as well as giving comfort for luxurious outside entertaining.

Pros of Natural Gas Appliances

With any decision you make it’s best weight up the pros and the cons. First up the pros of choosing Natural Gas.

Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual energy bills.
Natural gas appliances tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an eco-friendly option 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 water even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Negatives of Gas Appliances

Gas devices tend to have a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be higher for a gas appliance when comparing to electrical alternatives.
Having a natural gas line installed can be costly. The cost will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your energy company before making a final decision.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also cost a considerable amount.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas home appliances are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

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

Currently 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 natural gas, retrospectively installing gas is expensive. With this in mind, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.

Another reason to choose gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts happen often in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power cuts can count for a lot.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical devices. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be less expensive and more eco-friendly options in the long run.