Gas Appliances

Thinking about switching to natural gas appliances might be an option to save money while seeing gains in comfort, convenience and efficiency.

Shale gas abundant in the US meaning that prices per unit are low and stable, and natural gas is considered the cleanest non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be regarded as the greener choice.

If you already have a natural gas line at home, or are completing a new home you may wish to consider the possible gains of natural gas home appliances and gas household appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances below from Infinity Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Home Appliance?

A gas appliance employs gas as the dominant fuel source. Natural gas goods afford a great alternative for electrical home appliances.

Generally you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The quantity electric needed depends on how the appliance works. E.g, a gas boiler will produce hot water even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still requires electrical components to make the drum turn.

A List of Devices That Run On Natural Gas

Natural gas could have any number of uses in your home.

Heating

Heating your home with gas generally costs less than heating your home using electricity. Your costs could be cut in half subject to your fuel prices and relative efficiency gains.

Gas heats the air in less time and is more reliable.This is a big plus if you experience regular power outages in the winter

Fireplaces

Apart from heating gas is great for a fireplace. With a natural gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and a warm home without the hassle.

Cooling

Natural gas can offer an effective means to keep cool, even if there is a power failure.

Natural gas fueled air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Better efficiency has the added positive impact of lowering your C02 emissions.

Water Heating

Natural gas water boilers come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are faster and more efficient than their electric counterparts. On-demand water heaters also offer a continuous supply. Invaluable if you have a big household that indulges in long showers.

The fact that gas lines are almost always underground and guarded from the weather ensures you still have heating even if there’s a power outage.

Cooking Food

Everyone has heard the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link the use of gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the saying is still around because it is true. A great many chefs choose gas for the ease with which you can vary the heat, and natural gas ranges also offer a much more efficient way of converting energy into heat.

Clothes Dryers

Natural gas might not be the immediate thing you think of when it comes to laundry, however, gas clothes dryers can be an excellent choice. They dry clothes at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in less time.

Outdoor Living

Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside the home, gas is a great power source for lighting and cooking and even to heat your spa.

Impress friends as soon as they arrive with outdoor lighting, keep them warm even when the temperature drops and get dinner ready outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And gas patio heaters offer atmosphere as well as giving comfort for the best indoor-outdoor living.

Advantages of Natural Gas Home Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to gas devices. First up the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.

Gas is generally less expensive than electricity thus lowering your annual power bills.
Gas devices tend to be more efficient making them better for your wallet and for the planet.
Natural gas is an ecologically sound option as it is the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can still heat your home even if the power goes out.

Negatives of Natural gas Appliances

Natural gas devices generally have a higher initial outlay. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be greater for a natural gas appliance when comparing to electrical appliances.
Installing a new gas line can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your energy company 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 devices are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

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

If your main driver is cost gas is at the moment the lower priced option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing gas is expensive. 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 stability of supply. If power cuts are common in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages 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 could be a better investment and more eco-friendly options in the long run.