Gas Appliances

Considering gas home appliances could be an option to save money at the same time as seeing increases in comfort and efficiency.

There is a plentiful supply of natural gas in the US resulting in low, stable prices per unit, and shale gas is viewed as the least polluting non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be seen as the least environmentally damaging option.

If you already have a natural gas line at home, or are buying a new dwelling you may wish to look at the likely gains of switching to gas and natural gas appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances below from Martin Appliance Repair:

What are Natural Gas Appliances?

A gas home appliance uses natural gas as the dominant power source. Natural gas goods are a great alternative to electrical appliances for heating your house, providing hot water, heating food and even cooling your home and laundry.

In general you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The quantity electricity used depends on how the appliance works. E.g, a natural gas stove can still be used even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a gas dryer still needs electricity to make the drum turn.

Types of Gas Appliances

Natural gas has any number of uses in your house.

Proving Heat

Heating your home with natural gas is typically less expensive than keeping warm with electricity. Your outgoings could halve subject to your fuel tariffs and relative efficiency gains.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.

A Fireplace

Aside from general heating gas is perfect 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 a focal point without the mess.

Cooling Your Home

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

Natural gas fueled air conditioning are often more costly initially but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Superior effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Hot Water

There are two styles of gas water boilers, non-tank and tank. Gas heaters are faster and more efficient than their electric substitutes. Tankless water heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally underground and sheltered from the weather ensures you still have hot water even when you don’t have electricity.

Cooking Food

Everyone has come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great marketing line conceived to link gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase is still around because it is true. Most chefs and home cooks choose gas for the ease with which you can vary the size of the flame, and gas ranges also offer a more cost effective way of converting fuel into heat.

Dryers

Natural gas might not be the immediate thing you think of when it comes to laundry, however, natural gas tumble dryers can be an excellent choice. They work a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Using Gas Outside

Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, gas is often used for patio lights and food prep and can even be used to heat your pool.

Impress guests before they even get out of the car with outdoor lights, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside, when you like, and without the need to remember to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And natural gas outdoor heaters set the mood as well as giving warmth for the best indoor-outdoor living.

Benefits of Gas Home Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas devices. Here are some of the pros.

Gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual energy bills.
Natural gas devices tend to be more efficient making them a better choice for your wallet and for the planet.
Gas is an eco-friendly option as it is the least polluting of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less C02 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 still heat your home even if the power goes out.

Cons of Gas Home Appliances

Gas home appliances generally require a higher initial outlay. Both the value of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be more for a natural gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
Having a gas line installed can be costly. The cost will vary depending on a number of factors.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also require a big outlay.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas home appliances are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?

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

If your main driver is cost gas is currently the cheaper fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, converting to natural gas comes at a cost. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.

Another key advantage of gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power outages are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power cuts can count for a lot.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical devices. Choosing renewable energy may turn out to be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly options in the long run.