Looking at switching to gas home appliances may be a way to lower expenditures at the same time as seeing gains in comfort and efficiency.
There is a plentiful supply of shale gas in the US meaning that prices are low and stable, and gas is relatively the cleanest non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be seen as the most eco-friendly alternative.
If you already have a natural gas line in your home, or are buying a new house you may wish to think about the possible benefits of choosing gas and gas home appliances. Find more information about gas appliances here from Hesperia Appliance Repair Brothers:
What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?
A gas home appliance makes use of natural gas as the main power source. Natural gas devices are a great alternative to electrical appliances.
Generally you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a natural gas range can still be used even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a natural gas dryer still requires electrical components to make the drum turn.
Examples of Natural Gas Home Appliances
Gas is not just for cooking.
Proving Heat
Providing heat with gas is typically less expensive than keeping warm with electricity. The reduction can be as high as 50% subject to your energy tariffs and relative efficiency gains.
Natural gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and offers better reliability.
Fireplaces
As well as general heating gas is ideal 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 that open fire feeling and plenty of warmth without the mess.
Keeping Cool
Gas air conditioning can be an efficient way to cool your home, even if there is a power cut.
Natural gas fueled air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Better efficiency has the added benefit of lowering your carbon footprint.
Hot Water
There are two styles of gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Gas heaters are quicker and more fuel efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless water heaters also give a continuous supply. Which is useful if you have a big household that appreciates long showers.
The fact that natural gas lines are usually dug into the ground and sheltered from the weather ensures you can still have heating even when you don’t have electricity.
Preparing Food
Everyone has encountered the saying “cooking with gas”. A great commercial strategy conceived to link the use of natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is true. Most chefs and home cooks choose gas for the fact that they can control the temperature, and natural gas ranges are also a more cost effective way of turning energy into heat.
Dryers
You might not immediately think of using gas to dry your clothes, however, gas clothes dryers can be an excellent choice. They heat the air at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Using Natural Gas Outside
Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? Outside the home, gas is often used for lighting and food prep and even to heat your spa.
Wow guests before they even reach the front door with driveway lights, keep them warm on cool evenings and get food cooked outside, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your gas bottles.
Just like domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And natural gas fire pits set the mood as well as giving heat for perfect outside living.
Advantages of Gas Appliances
With any decision you make it’s best weight up the pros and the cons. First up the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.
- Choosing natural gas will cut your power bills.
- Gas appliances tend to use less energy making them a more sustainable choice for your wallet and for the environment.
- Gas is an environmentally responsible choice as it is viewed as the least polluting of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Natural gas lines are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can still cool your home even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.
Negatives of Gas Appliances
- Gas home appliances generally require a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be more.
- Installing a new gas line can be expensive. The cost will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
- Moving or extending a gas line can also require a big outlay.
- Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas devices are not properly installed or not maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.
Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?
Making the decision between gas and electricity is not straightforward and the right choice for you might not be the right choice for everyone.
If your main driver is cost gas is at the moment the cheaper option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, converting to natural gas is expensive. Thus, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.
Another benefit of natural gas is stability of supply. If power failures happen often where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power cuts can be a huge benefit.
Finally, in environmental terms, while gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Installing renewable energy may turn out to be a better investment and more eco-friendly options in the long run.