Considering natural gas home appliances may be a way to save money while experiencing higher levels of performance and productivity.
Natural gas abundant in the US meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and natural gas is relatively the cleanest fossil fuel, consequently, it can be regarded as the least environmentally damaging choice.
If you already have a gas line at home, or are building a new dwelling you should consider the probable benefits of using more gas and natural gas home appliances. Find more information about gas appliances here from Excel Kent Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?
A gas appliance runs on natural gas as the main fuel source. Gas devices are a great alternative to electrically powered goods for heating your living space, heating water, cooking your food and even cooling your home and laundry.
In many instances natural gas home appliances nevertheless require an electricity supply but use gas as the primary source of power. The quantity electricity needed depends on the type of appliance. For example, a natural gas boiler will produce hot water even when there is a power outage, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still needs electricity.
A List of Home Appliances That use Natural Gas.
Gas could have any number of purposes in your house.
Heating
Providing heat with natural gas is generally less expensive than heating your home using electricity. The reduction can be as much as 50% depending on your fuel tariffs and relative efficiency gains.
Natural gas heats the air in less time and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.
An Indoor Fire
Apart from general 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 fire, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the fuss.
Cooling Your Home
Gas air conditioning can be an effective way to cool your home.
Gas air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is better value to run and maintain meaning savings in the long term. Superior performance has the added positive impact of reducing your C02 emissions.
Hot Water
There are two types of gas water heaters, non-tank and tank. Natural gas heaters are quicker and more efficient than electric water boilers. On-demand water heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand.
The fact that natural gas lines are usually hidden and guarded from the elements ensures you will still have the ability to wash even when there’s a power outage.
Cooking
We’ve all come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Regardless of the origin the saying is still around because it is accurate. Most chefs and amature cooks choose gas for the fact that they can vary the size of the flame, and gas hobs are also a more cost effective way of turning energy into heat.
Dryers
You may not immediately think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, gas dryers can be an excellent choice. They heat the air a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in a shorter time.
Using Gas Outside
You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, natural gas is often used for patio lights and cooking and can even be used to heat your pool.
Wow your guests as soon as they arrive with driveway lights, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get dinner ready outside, 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 fast as an electric heater. And natural gas fire pits set the mood as well as providing warmth for luxurious outside entertaining.
Benefits of Natural Gas Appliances
With any decision you make it makes sense to look at the pros and the cons. First up the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.
- Natural gas is generally less expensive than electricity thus lowering your annual utility bills.
- Gas appliances 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, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can continue to cook even if the power goes out.At worst you might need to find a match.
Cons of Natural Gas Home Appliances
- Gas home appliances generally have a higher initial cost. Both the cost of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be greater for a gas appliance when comparing to electrical goods.
- Having a gas line installed can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
- Moving or extending a natural gas line can also be expensive so this should always be added to any cost benefit analysis.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas devices are not properly installed or regularly maintained. making sure you have 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 probably won’t be the optimal choice for everyone.
Currently natural gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the cost is your main driver 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 natural gas comes at a cost. Therefore, 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 that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power failures happen often where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can be a huge benefit.
Finally, in environmental terms, while natural gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical devices. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.