Looking at switching to gas appliances may be an option to save money while experiencing gains in comfort, convenience and efficiency.
There is a high supply of gas in the United States meaning that prices per unit are low and stable, and natural gas is considered to be the least polluting non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be regarded as the least environmentally damaging alternative.
If you already have natural gas installed in your house, or are buying a new dwelling you may wish to consider the potential advantages of natural gas home appliances and natural gas appliances. Read more about gas appliances below from Rapid Rockford Appliance Repair:
What is a Gas Home Appliance?
A natural gas appliance employs natural gas as the dominant fuel source. These appliances afford a workable alternative for electrically powered home appliances.
In the majority of situations natural gas home appliances nevertheless will need an electrical outlet but use gas as the major fuel. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a gas range can still be used even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas dryer still requires electrical components to make the drum turn.
A List of Devices That Run On Natural Gas.
Gas isn’t just for heating.
Keeping You Warm
Keeping yourself warm with gas typically costs less than heating using electricity. Your outgoings could be cut in half subject to your energy tariffs and efficiency.
Natural gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and offers better reliability.
An Indoor Fire
Aside from keeping your home warm natural gas is ideal 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 real flames and a warm home without the hassle.
Cooling
Natural gas can offer an adept means to keep cool.
Gas fueled air conditioning may be a higher price initially but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Higher efficiency also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Heating Water
There are two styles of gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Gas heaters are more rapid and more productive than their electric counterparts. Tankless heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand.
The fact that gas lines are generally dug into the ground and sheltered from the weather means you can still have hot water even if there’s a power outage.
Cooking Food
Everyone has encountered the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line conceived to link natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the phrase is used today because it is accurate. Most chefs and amature cooks choose gas for the ease with which you can vary the size of the flame, and gas stoves are also a less wasteful way of turning energy into heat.
Tumble Dryers
Natural gas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to laundry, however, gas clothes dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers work a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Using Natural Gas Outside
You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, gas is a popular choice for lighting and cooking and can even be used to heat your pool.
Impress guests before they even reach the front door with driveway lights, keep them toasty even when the temperature drops and get dinner ready outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, 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 rapidly as an electric heater. And gas outdoor heaters set the mood as well as offering heat for the best outside living.
Pros of Gas Appliances
With any decision you make it’s best look at the pros and the cons. Here are some of the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.
- Choosing gas will reduce your energy bills.
- Natural gas appliances tend to use less energy making them a better choice for your wallet and for the planet.
- Gas is an environmentally responsible option as it is the least polluting of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide 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 there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.
Negatives of Gas Home Appliances
- Gas home appliances generally are subject to a higher initial cost. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be greater.
- Having a natural gas line installed can be costly. 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 home appliances are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use gas in your home.
Should You Choose Natural Gas?
Making the choice between gas and electricity is not easy and the best choice for you probably won’t be the best choice for everyone.
Currently natural gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the cost 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 natural gas, converting to gas comes at a cost. Therefore, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good first step.
Another benefit of gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts happen often where you live then having appliances that continue to work during power cuts can count for a lot.
Finally, the environmental credentials of natural gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical appliances. Opting for renewable energy may turn out to be a better investment and more eco-friendly options in the long run.