Gas Appliances

Looking at natural gas devices might be an option to save money while seeing higher levels of ease, efficiency and performance.

There is a abundant supply of gas in the US resulting in low, stable costs, and natural gas is relatively the cleanest non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be viewed as the least environmentally damaging alternative.

If you already have a gas line in your house, or are building a new house you might consider the likely gains of using more natural gas and gas appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances here from Valor Appliance Repair:

What is a Natural Gas Appliance?

A natural gas appliance runs on natural gas as the main fuel source. These home appliances afford a practicable alternative for electrically powered home appliances.

Generally you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a natural gas boiler will work even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas dryer still requires electricity to make the drum turn.

Different Gas Appliances

Natural gas is not just for heating.

Keeping You Warm

Keeping yourself warm with natural gas is typically less expensive than heating your home using electrical appliances. The reduction can be up to 50% depending on your fuel costs and relative efficiency gains.

Gas heats the air more quickly and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.

An Indoor Fire

Aside from keeping your home warm gas is ideal for having a fire in your home. With a gas fire, you still get real flames and a warm home without the fuss.

Air Conditioning

Gas can be an effective means to keep cool, even if there is a power cut.

Gas air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Superior efficiency has the added upside of cutting your carbon footprint.

Water Heaters

There are two styles of natural gas water boilers, non-tank and tank. Natural gas heaters are faster and more productive than electric water boilers. On-demand water heaters also give a continuous supply. Which is useful if you have a big family that enjoys long showers.

The fact that natural gas lines are usually hidden and protected from the elements ensures you will still have heating even if there’s a power outage.

Preparing Food

We’ve all come across the saying “cooking with gas”. A great commercial strategy designed to link natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is true. A great many chefs choose natural gas for the fact that they can vary the heat, and natural gas ranges also offer a much more efficient way of turning fuel into heat.

Dryers

Natural gas might not be the immediate place your mind goes when it comes to drying clothes, however, gas dryers can be an excellent choice. They dry clothes at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Living

You have to restrict your natural gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, gas is a popular choice for lighting and food prep and can even be used to heat your pool.

Impress guests as soon as they arrive with driveway lighting, keep them cosy even when the temperature falls and get a meal prepared outside at the perfect temperature, when you like, and without the having to go to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And natural gas outdoor heaters provide ambiance as well as providing comfort for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Pros of Gas Appliances

As in all things there are pros and cons to natural gas devices. Here are some of the benefits of choosing Natural Gas.

Choosing gas will reduce your power bills.
Gas devices tend to use less energy making them a better choice for your wallet and for the environment.
Gas is an environmentally responsible option as it is considered the cleanest of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can continue to cook even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Negatives of Natural gas Appliances

Gas devices usually are subject to a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be higher for a natural gas appliance when comparing to electrical goods.
Installing a new gas line can be costly. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your supplier before making any decisions.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also be expensive so this should be added to any price analysis.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas devices are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

Making the choice between gas and electricity is not easy and the best choice for you might not be the optimal decision for everyone.

Currently natural gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the cost is your main motivation 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 gas, switching to gas is expensive. Thus, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good first step.

Another key advantage of natural gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts are common where you live then having appliances that continue to work during power cuts can count for a lot.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical devices. Installing renewable energy could be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.