Gas Appliances

Looking at switching to natural gas devices could be a way to lower expenditures at the same time as seeing gains in comfort, convenience and efficiency.

Gas easy to extract in the US meaning that prices are low and stable, and shale gas is considered the cleanest non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be seen as the most eco-friendly option.

If you already have natural gas installed in your home, or are completing a new home you may wish to consider the possible benefits of choosing gas and gas household appliances.

Read more about gas appliances here from Goff Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Home Appliance?

A natural gas home appliance uses natural gas as the dominant power source. Natural gas appliances are a practicable alternative to electrical devices for heating your home, providing hot water, heating food and even cooling your home and drying your clothes.

In the majority of instances natural gas home appliances nonetheless require an electrical outlet but use natural gas as the main fuel. The quantity electricity used depends on how the appliance works. E.g, a gas boiler will provide hot water even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a gas clothes dryer still needs electricity.

A List of Devices That Operate Using Gas.

Gas isn’t just for cooking.

Heating

Heating your home with natural gas usually costs less than heating using electrical heaters. Your expenditure could be cut in half depending on your fuel prices and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.This is a huge benefit if you if you get power cuts

A Fireplace

Apart from general heating gas is perfect for a fireplace.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 a warm home without the hassle.

Cooling Your Home

Natural gas can be an efficient way to cool your home.

Natural gas air conditioning are often more costly to begin with but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Better performance also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Water Heaters

Gas water boilers come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are faster and more fuel efficient than electric water heaters. On-demand heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand. Invaluable if you have a big family that appreciates long showers.

The fact that gas lines are generally dug into the ground and sheltered from the weather ensures you can still have hot water even when there’s a power outage.

Cooking

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

Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is valid. Most chefs and amateur cooks choose natural gas for the ease with which you can control the temperature, and gas hobs are also a less wasteful way of converting fuel into heat.

Dryers

You may not immediately think of using natural gas to dry your clothes, however, gas dryers have many advantages. They heat the air a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in less time.

Outdoor Entertaining

You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. When it comes to outdoor living, natural gas is often used for patio lights and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.

Impress guests before they even get out of the car with path lighting, keep them cosy even when the temperature drops and get food cooked outside, whenever you are ready, and without the need to remember to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And gas outdoor heaters offer ambiance as well as giving warmth for perfect outside entertaining.

Pros of Gas Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas devices. First up the pros of choosing Natural Gas.

Gas is generally less expensive than electricity saving you money on your annual utility costs.
Natural gas home appliances tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an eco-friendly selection as it is considered the least polluting of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Gas lines are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can still cook even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Disadvantages of Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas appliances usually require a higher initial outlay. Both the cost of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be more.
Having a natural gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The cost will vary depending on a number of factors.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas devices are not properly installed or regularly maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not straightforward and the optimal choice for you may not be the optimal decision for everyone.

If your main driver is cost natural gas is currently the least expensive option. 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 gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.

Another key advantage of gas is stability of supply. If power failures happen often where you live then having appliances that continue to work during power cuts can be a big plus.

Lastly, the sustainability credentials of natural gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical home appliances. Installing renewable energy may turn out to be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.