Looking at switching to natural gas home appliances may be a way to save money at the same time as seeing higher levels of ease, efficiency and performance.
There is a plentiful supply of shale gas in the US resulting in low, stable prices per unit, and shale gas is viewed as the least polluting fossil fuel, therefore, it can be viewed as the greener option.
If you already have gas installed in your home, or are completing a new house you might look at the possible benefits of using more gas and gas appliances. Find more information about gas appliances below from Weatherford Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?
A natural gas home appliance uses gas as the primary fuel source. Natural gas devices offer a great substitute for electrically powered devices.
Generally 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 still work even during a power cut, whereas a gas dryer still relies upon electricity.
A List of Home Appliances That Operate Using Natural Gas.
Gas isn’t just for heating.
Keeping You Warm
Keeping yourself warm with natural gas typically costs less than heating using electricity. The difference can be as much as 50% subject to your fuel costs and relative efficiency gains.
Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and offers better reliability.This is very handy if you for winter power outages
An Indoor Fire
Apart from keeping your home warm gas is ideal for a log fire with real flames. With a gas fire, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the fuss.
Keeping Cool
Gas can offer an effective way to keep your home cool.
Gas fueled air conditioning can be more costly to begin with but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Higher performance has the added positive impact of reducing your carbon footprint.
Hot Water
There are two styles of natural gas water heaters, non-tank and tank. Gas heaters are more rapid and more efficient than their electric counterparts. Tankless heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand. Which is useful if you have a big family that appreciates long showers.
The fact that natural gas lines are generally dug into the ground and protected from the elements means you still have heating even if you don’t have electricity.
Cooking Food
Everyone has heard the saying “cooking with gas”. A great commercial strategy conceived to link gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the phrase is still around because it is true. The majority of chefs and home cooks choose gas for the fact that they can control the heat, and natural gas hobs are also a much more efficient way of converting fuel into heat.
Clothes Dryers
You may not immediately think of using gas in your laundry room, however, natural gas tumble dryers are a great choice. They operate at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Using Natural Gas Outside
Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. When it comes to outdoor living, gas is a great power source for lighting and outdoor cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.
delight friends before they even get out of the car with driveway lights, keep them warm even when the temperature falls and get the food cooking outside, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your gas bottles.
Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And natural gas patio heaters set the mood as well as providing warmth for the best outside living.
Pros of Natural Gas Home Appliances
With any decision you make it makes sense to investigate the pros and the cons. Here are some of the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.
- Gas is generally cheaper 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 option as it is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Natural 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.
Disadvantages of Gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas home appliances usually have a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be higher.
- Having a natural gas line installed can be expensive. The price will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your provider before making a final decision.
- Having a gas line moved or extended can also require a big outlay.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas devices are not installed correctly or not maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.
Should You Choose Natural Gas?
Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not straightforward and the optimal choice for you probably won’t be the optimal choice for everyone.
Currently natural gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the price is your main driver this can be a major factor in the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, retrospectively installing gas comes at a cost. With this in mind, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.
Another key advantage of gas is reliability of supply. If power outages happen often in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can be a big plus.
Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical appliances. Installing solar panels or a heat pump could be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.