Considering switching to natural gas appliances may be a good option to lower expenditures while experiencing higher levels of comfort, convenience and efficiency.
Gas easy to extract in the US meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and shale gas is considered to be the least polluting fossil fuel, therefore, it can be seen as the greener choice.
If you already have natural gas installed in your home, or are building a new house you might think about the likely gains of natural gas appliances and natural gas home appliances. Read more about gas appliances here from Tru Trenton Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Appliances?
A natural gas appliance employs gas as the dominant fuel source. Natural gas home appliances offer a practicable substitute to electrical appliances for heating your living space, heating water, heating food and even cooling your home and laundry.
In the majority of instances gas appliances nonetheless will need an electrical outlet but use natural gas as the main fuel. The amount of electricity needed depends on the type of appliance. For example, a gas heater will still operate even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still relies upon electricity to make the drum turn.
A List of Devices That Operate Using Natural Gas.
Gas has any number of uses in your home.
Proving Heat
Heating your home with natural gas is usually less expensive than keeping warm using electricity. Your outgoings could halve depending on your energy costs and efficiency.
Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.
Fireplaces
Apart from heating natural gas is ideal for a fireplace. With a natural gas fire, you still get real flames and plenty of warmth without the mess.
Cooling Your Home
Natural gas air conditioning can be an adept way to keep cool.
Natural gas powered air conditioning are often a higher price to install but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning lower prices in the long term. Superior efficiency also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Water Heaters
There are two styles of gas water heaters, non-tank and tank. Gas heaters are more rapid and more efficient than their electric counterparts. On-demand heaters also give a continuous supply.
The fact that natural gas lines are generally dug into the ground and protected from the weather ensures you can still have hot water even when you don’t have electricity.
Preparing Food
Everyone has encountered the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great marketing strategy designed to link natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the saying is used today because it is accurate. A great many chefs and home cooks choose natural gas for the ease with which you can control the temperature, and natural gas hobs are also a much more efficient way of turning fuel into heat.
Tumble Dryers
Natural gas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas dryers can be an excellent choice. They operate at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Outdoor Living
Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, gas is often used for lighting and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.
Impress guests as soon as they arrive with path lights, keep them toasty 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 domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And natural gas outdoor heaters set the mood as well as offering warmth for luxurious outside entertaining.
Advantages of Gas Home Appliances
As with anything there are pros and cons to gas home appliances. Here are some of the benefits.
- Choosing gas will save you money on your energy bills.
- Natural gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Gas is an ecologically sound option as it is the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
- Gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to cool your home even if there’s no electricity supply.
Cons of Gas Home Appliances
- Gas devices tend to have a higher initial cost. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be higher for a gas appliance when comparing to electrical alternatives.
- Having a 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 cost a considerable amount.
- Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas devices are not properly installed or not maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.
Should You Choose Gas?
Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not always simple and the best choice for you probably won’t be the optimal choice for everyone.
If your main driver is cost gas is for the time being the lower priced fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, converting to natural gas comes at a cost. Therefore, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good first step.
Another reason to choose gas is stability of supply. If power cuts happen often in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can be a huge benefit.
Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas home appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump could be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.