Gas Appliances

Thinking about switching to natural gas home appliances may be a good option to reduce your bills while experiencing gains in performance and productivity.

There is a abundant supply of shale gas in the US meaning that costs are low and stable, and gas is relatively the least polluting fossil fuel, therefore, it can be viewed as the greener alternative.

If you already have natural gas installed in your home, or are completing a new dwelling you may wish to think about the likely gains of choosing gas and natural gas household appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances below from Prime Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Home Appliance?

A gas appliance uses gas as the main power source. These home appliances afford a viable alternative to electrically powered appliances for heating your home, providing hot water, cooking food and even air conditioning and tumble drying.

In general you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electric needed depends on how the appliance works. E.g, a natural gas water heater will still work even if the power goes out, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still requires electrical components.

Different Natural Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas can be used for more than heating.

Keeping You Warm

Providing heat with gas is typically less expensive than heating using electricity. The difference can be as high as 50% depending on your energy prices and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.This is a huge benefit if you if you get power cuts

An Indoor Fire

Aside from keeping your home warm natural gas is ideal for a log fire with real flames. With a gas fireplace, you still get real flames and a focal point without the hassle.

Keeping Cool

Gas air conditioning can be an adept way to keep your home cool, even if there is a power failure.

Natural gas fueled air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Higher effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Hot Water

There are two types of gas water heaters, non-tank and tank. Natural gas heaters are more rapid and more efficient than electric water boilers. On-demand water heaters also offer a continuous supply. Handy if you have a big family that enjoys long showers.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally hidden and sheltered from the elements means you will still have the ability to wash even when you don’t have electricity.

Cooking

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

Clever marketing or not the phrase has stuck around because it is accurate. A great many chefs choose gas for the ability to control the heat, and natural gas hobs provide a more cost effective way of turning fuel into heat.

Dryers

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

Using Gas Outside

Did you know you don’t just have to use natural gas inside your home? Outside, natural gas is a popular choice for patio lights and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.

Wow your guests before they even reach the front door with outdoor lights, keep them cosy even when the temperature drops and get a meal prepared 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 get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric heater. And gas outdoor heaters provide atmosphere as well as offering comfort for the best outside entertaining.

Pros of Natural Gas Appliances

With any decision you make it makes sense to look at the pros and the cons. First up the benefits.

  • Choosing natural gas will reduce your energy bills.
  • Natural gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
  • Natural gas is an environmentally responsible option as it is viewed as the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
  • Gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to cool your home even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Negatives of Gas Home Appliances

  • Gas devices tend to have a higher initial cost. Both the price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be more for a gas appliance when comparing to electrical appliances.
  • Installing a new gas line can be expensive. The price will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your supplier before making any decisions.
  • Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also be expensive.
  • Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas devices are not properly installed or not maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the optimal choice for you might not be the best decision for everyone.

Currently gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the price is your main driver this can be a big part of the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing natural gas is expensive. Thus, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good first step.

Another key advantage of natural gas is reliability of supply. If power failures are common in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can be a big plus.

Finally, 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 appliances. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump could be less expensive and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.

Additional Types of Appliances