Considering natural gas devices may be a good option to lower expenditures while seeing higher levels of comfort, convenience and efficiency.
Natural gas abundant in the United States meaning that costs are low and stable, and shale gas is viewed as the cleanest fossil fuel, therefore, it can be seen as the most eco-friendly option.
If you already have gas installed at home, or are building a new house you should look at the probable gains of switching to gas and natural gas appliances. Read more about gas appliances below from Legacy Lawrence Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Appliances?
A gas appliance makes use of gas as the primary fuel source. These appliances afford a workable alternative for electrical appliances for heating your home, providing hot water, heating food and even cooling your home and laundry.
In the majority of cases natural gas devices still require an electricity supply but use gas as the main fuel. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas water heater will work even if the power goes out, whereas a natural gas dryer still relies upon electricity.
Types of Gas Home Appliances
Gas could have many uses in your house.
Heating
Heating your home with natural gas is generally less expensive than keeping warm using electrical heaters. Your costs could be cut in half subject to your energy costs and efficiency.
Natural gas heats the air more quickly and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.
An Indoor Fire
Apart from keeping your home warm gas is perfect for having a fire in your home.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fire, you still get all the ambiance and plenty of warmth without the mess.
Air Conditioning
Natural gas air conditioners can be an efficient way to keep cool.
Gas powered air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning cost savings in the long term. Better performance has the added upside of cutting your carbon footprint.
Heating Water
There are two styles of gas water boilers, non-tank and tank. Gas heaters are faster and more fuel efficient than electric water heaters. On-demand water heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand.
The fact that gas lines are usually underground and sheltered from the weather ensures you can still have heating even if there’s a power outage.
Preparing Food
Most people have heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the phrase is used today because it is valid. The majority of chefs choose gas for the fact that they can vary the heat, and gas ranges provide a more cost effective way of converting energy into heat.
Clothes Dryers
You might not instantly think of using natural gas to dry your clothes, however, natural gas tumble dryers can be an excellent choice. They work at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Outdoor Living
You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. When it comes to outdoor living, natural gas is a great power source for lighting and cooking and can even be used to heat your pool.
Wow friends before they even get out of the car with path lights, keep them toasty even when the temperature falls and get the food cooking outside, when you like, and without the need to remember to fill up your gas bottles.
Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as quickly as an electric heater. And gas patio heaters offer ambiance as well as offering comfort for luxurious outside entertaining.
Pros of Natural Gas Appliances
With any decision you make it makes sense to investigate the pros and the cons. First up the pros of choosing Natural Gas.
- Gas is generally less expensive than electricity saving you money on your annual power costs.
- Gas devices tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Natural gas is an eco-friendly option as it is the least polluting of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
- Natural gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can still heat your home even if there’s no electricity supply.
Disadvantages of Gas Home Appliances
- Gas home appliances tend to are subject to a higher initial investment. Both the price of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be more for a gas appliance when comparing to electrical appliances.
- Installing a new gas line can be costly. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors.
- Having a gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount.
- Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use gas in your home.
Should You Choose Natural Gas?
Making the decision between natural gas and electricity is not straightforward and the best choice for you might not be the right choice for everyone.
Currently natural gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the cost is your main motivation 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, switching to gas is expensive. Therefore, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.
Another benefit of gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power cuts are common in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power cuts can count for a lot.
Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump could be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.