Looking at natural gas devices may be an option to save money while experiencing increases in performance and productivity.
Gas easy to extract in the US meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and shale gas is viewed as the least polluting fossil fuel, consequently, it can be seen as the greener option.
If you already have gas installed at home, or are building a new home you might think about the likely gains of choosing natural gas and gas household appliances. Read more about gas appliances here from Instant Livonia Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?
A gas home appliance uses gas as the main fuel source. Natural gas devices are a viable alternative to electrically powered goods.
Usually you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas stove can still be used even when there is a power outage, whereas a natural gas tumble dryer still needs electricity to make the drum turn.
A List of Home Appliances That use Gas.
Gas can be used for more than heating.
Heating
Heating your home with natural gas typically costs less than heating using electricity. The reduction can be up to 50% depending on your energy prices and efficiency.
Natural gas provides higher air temperatures and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.
A Fireplace
Apart from heating natural gas is great for a log fire with real flames.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fire, you still get real flames and plenty of warmth without the fuss.
Keeping Cool
Gas air conditioners can be an efficient method to keep your home cool.
Natural gas powered air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Higher efficiency also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Hot Water
Gas water heaters come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are quicker and more productive than their electric substitutes. On-demand water heaters also provide a continuous supply even with high demand.
The fact that gas lines are almost always hidden and sheltered from the elements ensures you can still have hot water even if you don’t have electricity.
Preparing Food
Everyone has heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great marketing strategy conceived to link gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the phrase stuck because it is true. A great many chefs and amature cooks choose natural gas for the ease with which you can control the size of the flame, and natural gas hobs provide a much more efficient way of turning energy into heat.
Clothes Dryers
You may not immediately think of using gas in your laundry room, however, natural gas clothes dryers can be an excellent choice. Gas Dryers dry clothes at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Using Gas Outside
Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, natural gas is a popular choice for lighting and food prep and can even be used to heat your pool.
Impress guests before they even reach the front door with driveway lights, keep them warm even when the temperature drops 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 indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as quickly as an electric equivalent. And gas patio heaters offer atmosphere as well as providing comfort for perfect outside entertaining.
Benefits of Natural Gas Home Appliances
As with anything there are pros and cons to gas home appliances. First up the benefits.
- Choosing gas will cut your energy bills.
- Gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Natural gas is an eco-friendly option as it is the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Natural gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can continue to heat your home even if the power goes out.At worst you might need to find a match.
Negatives of Natural Gas Appliances
- Gas devices generally require a higher initial cost. Both the price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be higher for a 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 price will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your supplier before making a final decision.
- Moving or extending a natural gas line can also require a big outlay.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas devices are not properly installed or regularly maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.
Should You Choose Natural Gas?
Making the decision between natural gas and electricity is not always simple and the optimal choice for you may not be the optimal decision for everyone.
If your main driver is cost gas is currently the least expensive option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing gas is expensive. Thus, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.
Another key advantage of gas is reliability of supply. If power outages happen often in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power cuts can be a big plus.
Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical goods. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be a better investment and more sustainable options in the long run.