Gas Appliances

Considering switching to natural gas home appliances could be a good option to lower expenditures while experiencing gains in comfort, convenience and efficiency.

Shale gas abundant in the United States resulting in low, stable prices per unit, and natural gas is looked upon as the cleanest fossil fuel, consequently, it can be seen as the environmentally responsible choice.

If you already have gas installed at home, or are completing a new home you may wish to look at the possible advantages of switching to natural gas and natural gas household appliances.

Read more about gas appliances below from Keen Appliance Repair:

What are Natural Gas Appliances?

A gas appliance uses natural gas as the primary power source. Natural gas goods present a workable alternative to electrically powered appliances for heating your house, heating water, heating food and even cooling your home and tumble drying.

Usually 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 boiler will provide hot water even during a power cut, whereas a gas clothes dryer still needs electricity.

Different Gas Appliances

Gas can be used for more than cooking.

Heating

Providing heat with gas is usually less expensive than heating using electrical heaters. The difference can be as high as 50% subject to your fuel prices and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas heats the air more efficiently and offers better reliability.

A Fireplace

As well as heating natural gas is ideal for having a fire in your home. With a natural gas fireplace, you still get real flames and a focal point without the hassle.

Cooling Your Home

Gas air conditioners can offer an efficient way to keep your home cool, even if there is a power failure.

Gas powered air conditioning can be a higher price to install but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Higher effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Water Heaters

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

The fact that gas lines are usually dug into the ground and guarded from the weather ensures you will still have hot water even if there’s a power outage.

Cooking

Most people have heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line conceived to link natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the etiology the phrase stuck because it is accurate. The majority of chefs choose gas for the ease with which you can vary the heat, and natural gas stoves are also a less wasteful way of turning energy into heat.

Clothes Dryers

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

Using Natural Gas Outside

Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? When it comes to outdoor entertaining, gas is a popular choice for patio lights and food prep and even to heat your pool.

Wow your guests before they even get out of the car with driveway lights, keep them warm on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as quickly as an electric equivalent. And gas outdoor heaters give atmosphere as well as giving warmth for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Benefits of Gas Appliances

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

Gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual energy bills.
Natural gas devices tend to use less energy making them a more sustainable choice for your wallet and for the environment.
Gas is an eco-friendly option as it is viewed as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply more reliable. This means you can still heat your home even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Cons of Gas Appliances

Natural gas home appliances usually have a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be greater.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be costly. The price will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

Making the choice between gas and electricity is not straightforward and the right choice for you probably won’t be the right choice for everyone.

Currently natural gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the price 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, converting to gas is expensive. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good first step.

Another reason to choose natural 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 outages can count for a lot.

Finally, in environmental terms, while natural gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical goods. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be a better investment and more eco-friendly options in the long run.