Gas Appliances

Considering switching to natural gas devices could be an option to save money at the same time as seeing increases in ease, efficiency and performance.

Shale gas easy to extract in the US meaning that prices are low and stable, and natural gas is considered the cleanest non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be viewed as the greener alternative.

If you already have natural gas installed in your house, or are completing a new dwelling you may wish to think about the potential gains of natural gas appliances and natural gas household appliances.

Read more about gas appliances here from Hayes Appliance Repair:

What is a Natural Gas Home Appliance?

A natural gas device uses gas as the main power source. These appliances present a workable substitute for electrically powered home appliances for heating your living space, heating water, cooking food and even cooling your home and tumble drying.

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 provide hot water even if the power goes out, whereas a natural gas dryer still needs electrical components.

A List of Appliances That use Natural Gas.

Gas is about more than cooking.

Heating

Keeping yourself warm with gas generally costs less than providing heat with electricity. The difference can be as much as 50% depending on your energy prices and relative efficiency gains.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.

Fireplaces

Apart from keeping your home warm gas is great for a log fire with real flames.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a gas fire, you still get all the ambiance and plenty of warmth without the hassle.

Air Conditioning

Natural gas air conditioners can be an adept method to cool your home, even if there is a power cut.

Gas powered air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Superior efficiency also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Water Heating

Natural gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are quicker and more fuel efficient than their electric alternatives. On-demand heaters also provide a continuous supply even with high demand. Which is useful if you have a big household that indulges in long showers.

The fact that gas lines are usually underground and protected from the weather ensures you still have the ability to shower even if you don’t have electricity.

Cooking Food

We’ve all encountered the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great commercial line conceived to link natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase is used today because it is valid. The majority of chefs and amature cooks choose gas for the ability to control the temperature, and gas ranges are also a less wasteful way of turning fuel into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You might not instantly think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, natural gas tumble dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers dry clothes at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Entertaining

Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, gas is a great power source for patio lights and cooking and even to heat your pool.

Impress guests before they even reach the front door with outdoor lighting, keep them cosy even when the temperature falls and get food cooked outside, whenever you are ready, and without the need to remember 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 heater. And natural gas outdoor heaters set the mood as well as providing warmth for perfect indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Pros of Natural Gas Appliances

With any decision you make it makes sense to weight up the pros and the cons. Here are some of the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.

Choosing natural gas will cut your energy bills.
Gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them a more sustainable choice for your wallet and for the environment.
Natural gas is an ecologically sound option as it is viewed as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Natural gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to heat your home even if there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.

Cons of Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas home appliances generally require a higher initial cost. Both the price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be higher 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 how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your supplier before making any decisions.
Having a gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount so this should be added to any cost comparisons.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas home appliances are not installed correctly or not maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

Making the decision between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the right choice for you may not be the best 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, switching to natural gas comes at a cost. Therefore, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good first step.

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

Finally, the eco-friendly credentials of gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump could be more cost-effective and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.