Gas Appliances

Considering natural gas devices may be an option to save money at the same time as seeing gains in comfort, convenience and efficiency.

Natural gas is in plentiful supply in the US resulting in low, stable prices per unit, and natural gas is considered the least polluting non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be regarded as the most eco-friendly alternative.

If you already have a gas line in your house, or are building a new home you might consider the likely benefits of using more gas and natural gas home appliances.

Read more about gas appliances below from Chesapeake Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Appliance?

A natural gas home appliance makes use of gas as the dominant power source. Natural gas home appliances afford a workable alternative to electrically powered home appliances.

Generally you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a gas stove will still operate even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a natural gas dryer still relies upon electricity.

A List of Devices That Operate Using Natural Gas.

Gas could have any number of uses in your house.

Heating

Keeping yourself warm with natural gas is typically less expensive than providing heat with electricity. Your costs could be cut in half depending on your fuel costs and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas heats the air more efficiently and is more reliable.

A Fireplace

Aside from heating gas is great for a fireplace.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fire, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the mess.

Cooling

Natural gas can offer an adept means to cool your home, even if there is a power cut.

Natural gas powered air conditioning are often a higher price to begin with but is better value to run and maintain meaning cost savings in the long term. Superior efficiency has the added positive impact of lowering your C02 emissions.

Heating Water

Natural gas water boilers come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are quicker and more efficient than their electric counterparts. Tankless water heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand. Invaluable if you have a big household that enjoys long showers.

The fact that natural gas lines are almost always underground and protected from the elements means you still have hot water even if you don’t have electricity.

Cooking

Most people have come across the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the origin the saying is used today because it is true. The majority of chefs choose natural gas for the fact that they can control the size of the flame, and natural gas hobs are also a much more efficient way of turning energy into heat.

Clothes Dryers

Gas might not be the immediate thing you think of when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas dryers are a great choice. They heat the air a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in a shorter time.

Outdoor Living

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

Wow friends before they even get out of the car with path lighting, keep them warm even when the temperature drops and get a meal prepared outside at the perfect temperature, when you like, and without the having to go to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And natural gas fire pits provide atmosphere as well as giving warmth for perfect outside entertaining.

Advantages of Natural Gas Appliances

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

Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual power bills.
Gas devices tend to use less energy making them a more sustainable choice for your wallet and for the environment.
Gas is an ecologically sound choice as it is viewed as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can continue to cook even if the power goes out.

Cons of Natural Gas Appliances

Natural gas devices generally have a higher initial cost. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be higher.
Installing a new gas line can be expensive. The price will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
Moving or extending a gas line can also be expensive.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas appliances are not properly installed or not maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?

Making the change between gas and electricity is not always simple and the best choice for you may not be the right choice for everyone.

If your main driver is cost gas is at the moment the least expensive 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. Thus, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.

Another reason to choose gas is stability of supply. If power failures are common where you live then having appliances that continue to work during outages can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump could be less expensive and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.