Looking at switching to gas home appliances may be a good option to lower expenditures at the same time as experiencing increases in ease, efficiency and performance.
There is a plentiful supply of gas in the United States meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and shale gas is considered the least polluting non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be regarded as the most eco-friendly alternative.
If you already have gas installed at home, or are buying a new dwelling you should look at the probable gains of switching to natural gas and natural gas appliances. Learn more about gas appliances here from Avondale Appliance Repair Experts:
What are Gas Appliances?
A gas home appliance uses gas as the main power source. These home appliances offer a workable substitute for electrically powered goods.
In many situations gas appliances still will need an electricity supply but use gas as the major source of power. The quantity electricity used depends on how the appliance works. For example, a natural gas boiler will work even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas dryer still requires electrical components to make the drum turn.
A List of Home Appliances That Run On Natural Gas.
Gas could have any number of uses in your house.
Keeping You Warm
Providing heat with gas is generally less expensive than keeping warm using electricity. The reduction can be as high as 50% depending on your fuel tariffs and relative efficiency gains.
Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.
Fireplaces
Aside from keeping your home warm gas is perfect for a log fire with real flames.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fire, you still get real flames and a warm home without the fuss.
Cooling
Gas air conditioning can offer an adept means to keep your home cool.
Gas air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Superior performance has the added upside of cutting your C02 emissions.
Hot Water
Gas water boilers come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are more rapid and more productive than electric water heaters. On-demand heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand. Handy if you have a big family that indulges in long showers.
The fact that gas lines are usually hidden and guarded from the weather ensures you will still have the ability to shower even when there’s a power outage.
Cooking Food
Everyone has come across the saying “cooking with gas”. A great marketing strategy designed to link the use of gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the saying is still around because it is valid. Most chefs choose gas for the ease with which you can control the size of the flame, and natural gas hobs provide a much more efficient way of converting fuel into heat.
Dryers
You may not instantly think of using natural gas to dry your clothes, however, natural gas dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers work at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in a shorter time.
Using Gas Outside
Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside the home, gas is a popular choice for lighting and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.
Impress guests as soon as they arrive with outdoor lighting, keep them warm even when the temperature drops and get dinner ready outside at the perfect temperature, when you like, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.
Just like domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric heater. And gas patio heaters set the mood as well as offering warmth for perfect indoor-outdoor living.
Pros of Gas Home Appliances
As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas appliances. First up the pros.
- Choosing gas will save you money on your power bills.
- Natural gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them a more sustainable choice for your wallet and for the planet.
- Natural gas is an ecologically sound choice as it is viewed as the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can still cook even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.
Cons of Gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas home appliances usually have a higher initial outlay. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be greater for a natural gas appliance when comparing to electrical goods.
- Having a natural gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The price 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 cost a considerable amount.
- Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas devices are not installed correctly or not maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.
Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?
Making the choice between gas and electricity is not straightforward and the optimal choice for you may not be the optimal choice for everyone.
If your main driver is cost natural gas is at the moment the lower priced fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing natural gas comes at a cost. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.
Another reason to choose gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power cuts happen often where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power failures can be a huge benefit.
Finally, the sustainability credentials of gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical home appliances. Choosing renewable energy may turn out to be less expensive and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.