Looking at switching to gas appliances may be a way to save money while seeing gains in comfort and efficiency.
Natural gas easy to extract in the United States meaning that costs are low and stable, and natural gas is considered the cleanest fossil fuel, thus, it can be seen as the greener alternative.
If you already have a natural gas line in your house, or are building a new home you might look at the potential gains of choosing natural gas and gas appliances. Find more information about gas appliances below from Greeley Appliance Repair:
What is a Gas Appliance?
A natural gas appliance runs on natural gas as the primary fuel source. Natural gas devices present a workable substitute to electrically powered goods.
Usually you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a gas water heater will still work even if the power goes out, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still relies upon electrical components to make the drum turn.
A List of Devices That Run On Natural Gas.
Natural gas can have a great many purposes in your home.
Keeping You Warm
Heating your home with gas is typically less expensive than heating using electricity. Your outgoings could be cut in half depending on your energy costs and efficiency.
Natural gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.
An Indoor Fire
Apart from 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 that open fire feeling and plenty of warmth without the mess.
Air Conditioning
Natural gas air conditioning can offer an adept method to cool your home, even if there is a power failure.
Natural gas air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning savings in the long term. Higher performance also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Water Heaters
There are two styles of natural gas water boilers, on demand and tank. Gas heaters are faster and more efficient than electric water heaters. On-demand water heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand.
The fact that natural gas lines are generally dug into the ground and guarded from the weather means you can 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 designed to link gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Regardless of the etiology the phrase is used today because it is true. A great many chefs choose natural gas for the ability to control the size of the flame, and natural gas ranges are also a much more efficient way of converting energy into heat.
Clothes Dryers
You may not immediately think of using gas in your laundry room, however, natural gas tumble dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers heat the air a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Outdoor Entertaining
You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. When it comes to outdoor living, natural gas is often used for patio lights and cooking and even to heat your spa.
delight your guests before they even get out of the car with path lights, keep them cosy even when the temperature falls and get food cooked outside, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.
Just like indoor heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as quickly as an electric equivalent. And natural gas patio heaters offer ambiance as well as providing heat for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.
Advantages of Gas Appliances
With any decision you make it’s best investigate the pros and the cons. First up the pros of choosing Natural Gas.
- Gas is generally less expensive than electricity saving you money on your annual power costs.
- Natural gas home appliances tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Gas is an environmentally responsible selection as it is viewed as the least polluting of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Natural gas lines are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to heat your home even if there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.
Negatives of Gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas appliances usually have a higher initial outlay. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be higher for a natural gas appliance when comparing to electrical alternatives.
- Installing a new gas line 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 energy company before deciding.
- Having a gas line moved or extended can also require a big outlay.
- 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 gas in your home.
Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?
Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the right choice for you probably won’t be the best choice for everyone.
If your main driver is cost gas is currently the least expensive option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, switching to natural gas comes at a cost. With this in mind, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good first step.
Another key advantage of natural gas is reliability of supply. If power outages happen often in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power cuts can be a big plus.
Finally, in environmental terms, while natural gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical appliances. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be less expensive and more eco-friendly options in the long run.