Gas Appliances

Considering natural gas appliances may be a way to lower expenditures at the same time as seeing increases in comfort and efficiency.

There is a high supply of gas in the US meaning that prices are low and stable, and natural gas is relatively the least polluting non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be regarded as the least environmentally damaging option.

If you already have natural gas installed in your home, or are completing a new house you should look at the likely advantages of switching to gas and gas household appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances here from Lee Appliance Repair:

What are Natural Gas Appliances?

A gas home appliance makes use of gas as the primary power source. These appliances are a workable alternative to electrically powered home appliances for heating your home, heating water, cooking your food and even air conditioning and drying your clothes.

In most situations natural gas devices nonetheless will need an electricity supply but use natural gas as the primary source of power. The amount of electric needed depends on the type of appliance. E.g, a natural gas water heater will provide hot water even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still needs electricity.

A List of Devices That use Gas.

Gas isn’t just for cooking.

Heating

Heating your home with natural gas is typically less expensive than providing heat using electricity. Your costs could halve subject to your fuel prices and efficiency.

Natural gas heats the air in less time and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.

A Fireplace

Apart from general heating gas is perfect for a log fire with real flames. With a gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the fuss.

Cooling

Natural gas can be an adept way to keep cool, even if there is a power outage.

Gas air conditioning may be a higher price to install but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Higher performance has the added positive impact of reducing your carbon footprint.

Water Heaters

Natural gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are more rapid and more efficient than their electric alternatives. Tankless water heaters also provide a continuous supply.

The fact that natural gas lines are almost always dug into the ground and guarded from the elements ensures you will still have hot water even when there’s a power outage.

Cooking

Everyone has heard the saying “cooking with gas”. A great commercial line designed to link the use of gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase is used today because it is true. Most chefs choose gas for the fact that they can vary the temperature, and natural gas ranges also offer a more cost effective way of converting energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You might not instantly think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, gas dryers have many advantages. They operate a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Living

You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, gas is often used for patio lights and outdoor cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.

delight guests before they even reach the front door with path lights, keep them warm on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside at the perfect temperature, when you like, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric heater. And natural gas fire pits set the mood as well as offering warmth for the best outside living.

Advantages of Natural Gas Home Appliances

With any decision you make it makes sense to investigate the pros and the cons. Here are some of the benefits of choosing Natural Gas.

Choosing gas will reduce your utility bills.
Gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an ecologically sound selection as it is viewed as 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 generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to heat your home even if the power goes out.

Negatives of Gas Appliances

Natural gas home appliances generally have a higher initial cost. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be higher.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be costly. 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 gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount.
Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas home appliances are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance Right for You?

Making the choice between gas and electricity is not easy and the optimal choice for you probably won’t be the optimal decision for everyone.

Currently natural gas is almost always cheaper 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, converting to natural gas is expensive. Thus, 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 stability of supply. If power failures happen often where you live then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, the sustainability credentials of natural gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Choosing renewable energy could be a better investment and more eco-friendly options in the long run.