Gas Appliances

Considering switching to gas appliances may be a way to reduce your bills at the same time as seeing higher levels of performance and productivity.

There is a high supply of natural gas in the US meaning that prices are low and stable, and shale gas is considered the least polluting non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be seen as the greener choice.

If you already have a natural gas line at home, or are buying a new dwelling you might look at the probable gains of using more gas and natural gas appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances here from Warner Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Home Appliance?

A gas device makes use of natural gas as the dominant fuel source. Natural gas devices present a workable substitute to electrical appliances.

In general 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 water heater will produce hot water even if the power goes out, whereas a natural gas tumble dryer still relies upon electrical components.

A List of Devices That Run On Gas

Natural gas isn’t just for cooking.

Proving Heat

Providing heat with natural gas is typically less expensive than heating your home with electricity. The difference can be as high as 50% subject to your fuel tariffs and efficiency.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.

An Indoor Fire

Aside from general heating natural gas is great for a log fire with real flames. With a gas fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and plenty of warmth without the mess.

Cooling Your Home

Natural gas air conditioning can be an effective method to keep your home cool.

Natural gas air conditioning can be a higher price to begin with but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Better efficiency has the added benefit of cutting your carbon footprint.

Water Heaters

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 electric water heaters. On-demand water heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand. Which is useful if you have a big family that enjoys long showers.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally underground and sheltered from the elements ensures you still have the ability to shower even when you don’t have electricity.

Cooking Food

We’ve all heard the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line conceived to link the use of natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is accurate. The majority of chefs choose gas for the ease with which you can vary the size of the flame, and natural gas hobs provide a more cost effective way of converting fuel into heat.

Dryers

You may not immediately think of using gas to dry your clothes, however, gas tumble dryers can be an excellent choice. Gas Dryers operate at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time.

Outdoor Entertaining

Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside the home, natural gas is often used for lighting and cooking and even to heat your pool.

delight guests before they even get out of the car with path lights, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get food cooked outside at the perfect temperature, when you like, and without the having to go to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And gas patio heaters give atmosphere as well as giving warmth for luxurious indoor-outdoor living.

Advantages of Gas Home Appliances

With any decision you make it’s best look at the pros and the cons. Here are some of the advantages.

Gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual power costs.
Gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them a better choice for your wallet and for the planet.
Gas is an ecologically sound choice as it is viewed as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, with emissions of 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.

Disadvantages of Natural gas Home Appliances

Natural gas appliances generally are subject to a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be more for a natural gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
Having a gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be costly. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors.
Moving or extending a gas line can also be expensive.
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 non-negotiable is you use gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?

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

If your main driver is cost natural gas is at the moment the cheaper option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, converting to natural gas comes at a cost. Therefore, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.

Another benefit of gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power failures are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can be a big plus.

Finally, 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 appliances. Installing renewable energy could be a better investment and more sustainable options in the long run.