Looking at switching to gas appliances could be a good option to lower expenditures while seeing gains in comfort, convenience and efficiency.
There is a high supply of natural gas in the United States meaning that prices are low and stable, and shale gas is considered the least polluting fossil fuel, thus, it can be seen as the environmentally responsible choice.
If you already have gas installed in your house, or are building a new house you might consider the potential benefits of using more gas and gas appliances. Find more information about gas appliances below from One-Call Sugar Land Appliance Repair:
What is a Natural Gas Home Appliance?
A gas appliance makes use of natural gas as the dominant power source. These devices are a practicable substitute for electrical appliances for heating your living space, providing hot water, heating your food and even air conditioning and drying your clothes.
In the majority of situations gas home appliances still will need an electricity supply but use gas as the primary source of power. The amount of electric used depends on how the appliance works. E.g, a natural gas boiler will work even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still needs electrical components to make the drum turn.
A List of Home Appliances That Operate Using Natural Gas.
Gas can have many purposes in your home.
Proving Heat
Providing heat with gas is typically less expensive than heating your home using electricity. The reduction can be as much as 50% subject to your energy prices and relative efficiency gains.
Natural gas heats the air more efficiently and is more reliable.This is a big plus if you for winter power outages
An Indoor Fire
As well as keeping your home warm gas is great for having a fire in your home.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a gas fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and plenty of warmth without the hassle.
Cooling
Gas air conditioners can be an efficient means to cool your home.
Natural gas air conditioning are often a higher price initially but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Better performance has the added benefit of reducing your carbon footprint.
Hot Water
There are two styles of gas water heaters, non-tank and tank. Natural gas heaters are faster and more productive than electric water heaters. On-demand water heaters also give a continuous supply.
The fact that gas lines are almost always hidden and protected from the weather ensures you still have heating even when you don’t have electricity.
Cooking
We’ve all encountered the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great marketing line designed to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Regardless of the origin the saying is used today because it is accurate. A great many chefs and home cooks choose natural gas for the fact that they can vary the heat, and gas stoves also offer a more cost effective way of turning fuel into heat.
Tumble Dryers
Natural gas might not be the first place your mind goes when it comes to laundry, however, gas tumble dryers have many advantages. They operate a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in less time.
Outdoor Entertaining
Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? When it comes to outdoor living, gas is a popular choice for lighting and outdoor cooking and even to heat your pool.
Impress your guests before they even reach the front door with outdoor lights, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get food cooked outside, when you like, and without the need to remember to fill up your propane bottles.
Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And gas patio heaters offer atmosphere as well as giving comfort for the best outside entertaining.
Pros of Gas Appliances
With any decision you make it’s best investigate the pros and the cons. First up the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.
- Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual utility bills.
- Gas home appliances tend to use less energy making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the environment.
- Gas is an ecologically sound selection as it is the least polluting of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Natural gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can still heat water even if the power goes out.At worst you might need to find a match.
Disadvantages of Gas Appliances
- Natural gas appliances tend to are subject to a higher initial outlay. Both the cost of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be greater for a gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
- Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be costly. The cost will vary depending on a number of factors.
- Having a gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas home appliances are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.
Should You Choose Natural Gas?
Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not always simple and the best choice for you probably won’t be the best decision for everyone.
If your main driver is cost natural gas is for the time being the least expensive fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, switching to natural gas is expensive. Therefore, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t already have one is a good first step.
Another benefit of natural gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts happen often where you live then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can be a big plus.
Finally, the environmental credentials of gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical appliances. Opting for renewable energy may turn out to be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.