Considering switching to natural gas devices could be an option to lower expenditures while seeing gains in comfort and efficiency.
Gas easy to extract in the US meaning that prices per unit are low and stable, and gas is considered the cleanest fossil fuel, thus, it can be regarded as the least environmentally damaging alternative.
If you already have a natural gas line in your home, or are completing a new dwelling you may wish to look at the possible advantages of using more gas and gas appliances. Learn more about gas appliances below from Ace Alhambra Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?
A gas appliance uses gas as the primary fuel source. Natural gas home appliances present a viable alternative for electrically powered home appliances.
In many situations gas home appliances nevertheless will need an electricity supply but use natural gas as the major fuel. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas furnace will still operate even if the power goes out, whereas a gas dryer still requires electrical components.
Different Natural Gas Appliances
Gas can be used for more than cooking.
Heating
Keeping yourself warm with gas is generally less expensive than providing heat with electricity. Savings can be as high as 50% subject to your fuel costs and relative efficiency gains.
Gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.
An Indoor Fire
Apart from general heating natural gas is great for a log fire with real flames. With a natural gas fire, you still get real flames and a warm home without the mess.
Cooling Your Home
Natural gas air conditioning can be an effective means to cool your home.
Natural gas powered air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Higher efficiency has the added upside of reducing your C02 emissions.
Hot Water
Natural gas water boilers come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are quicker and more productive than electric water heaters. Tankless water heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand. Which is useful if you have a big household that indulges in long showers.
The fact that natural gas lines are almost always hidden and protected from the weather means you still have heating even if you don’t have electricity.
Cooking Food
Most people have heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great advertising line created to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Regardless of the origin the phrase stuck because it is true. Most chefs choose natural gas for the ease with which you can vary the temperature, and gas hobs are also a more cost effective way of converting fuel into heat.
Clothes Dryers
Gas might not be the immediate place your mind goes when it comes to laundry, however, gas dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers dry clothes a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Using Gas Outside
Did you know you don’t just have to use natural gas inside your home? Outside the home, natural gas is often used for patio lights and food prep and even to heat your spa.
Wow your guests before they even reach the front door with outdoor lighting, keep them cosy even when the temperature drops and get the food cooking outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your propane bottles.
Just like indoor heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as quickly as an electric heater. And natural gas patio heaters give atmosphere as well as providing warmth for perfect outside living.
Pros of Natural Gas Home Appliances
As with anything there are pros and cons to gas home appliances. Here are some of the pros.
- Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual power bills.
- Gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Gas is an ecologically sound selection as it is viewed as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 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.
Cons of Natural gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas home appliances usually have a higher initial investment. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be more for a gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
- Having a natural gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be costly. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors.
- Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also be expensive.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas devices are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.
Should You Choose Gas?
Making the change between gas and electricity is not straightforward and the optimal choice for you probably won’t be the best decision for everyone.
Currently natural gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the price 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 natural gas, switching to gas comes at a cost. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.
Another reason to choose natural gas is reliability of supply. If power failures are common where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can be a huge benefit.
Finally, the environmental credentials of natural gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be more cost-effective and more sustainable options in the long run.