Gas Appliances

Looking at switching to gas devices could be a good option to save money while experiencing gains in ease, efficiency and performance.

Natural gas abundant in the US meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and gas is considered to be the cleanest non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be seen as the environmentally responsible option.

If you already have a natural gas line at home, or are buying a new dwelling you might consider the probable advantages of switching to natural gas and gas household appliances.

Read more about gas appliances below from Vaughn’s Appliance Repair:

What is a Natural Gas Home Appliance?

A gas device uses natural gas as the dominant power source. Gas goods present a practicable alternative to electrically powered home appliances.

Generally you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electric needed depends on how the appliance works. E.g, a gas heater will still work even when there is a power outage, whereas a gas dryer still requires electrical components to make the drum turn.

Examples of Natural Gas Home Appliances

Gas could have a great many uses in your house.

Heating

Keeping yourself warm with gas generally costs less than heating your home using electrical appliances. The difference can be up to 50% depending on your energy tariffs and efficiency.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.This is a big plus if you if you get power cuts

Fireplaces

Aside from keeping your home warm natural gas is ideal for a fireplace.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the mess.

Cooling

Gas air conditioners can be an effective means to keep cool, even if there is a power failure.

Gas fueled air conditioning could be a higher price to install but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning lower prices in the long term. Better effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Water Heaters

Natural gas water boilers come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are faster and more fuel efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless heaters also give a continuous supply. Which is useful if you have a big family that appreciates long showers.

The fact that gas lines are almost always dug into the ground and guarded from the weather ensures you still have hot water even if you don’t have electricity.

Cooking

Most people have heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line designed to link natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the saying is still around because it is valid. A great many chefs choose gas for the fact that they can control the size of the flame, and natural gas hobs provide a much more efficient way of turning energy into heat.

Dryers

Natural gas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to laundry, however, gas dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers operate at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Living

You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, gas is a popular choice for lighting and cooking 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 falls and get dinner ready outside, whenever you are ready, and without the need to remember to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as quickly as an electric heater. And gas outdoor heaters offer ambiance as well as providing comfort for luxurious outside entertaining.

Pros of Gas Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas appliances. Here are some of the pros of choosing Natural Gas.

Choosing natural gas will reduce your power bills.
Gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the environment.
Natural gas is an ecologically sound option as it is considered the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Natural gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to heat water even if you get a power outage.

Disadvantages of Gas Home Appliances

Gas devices tend to have a higher initial outlay. Both the cost of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be higher.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your energy company before deciding.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also be expensive so this should be included in any cost benefit analysis.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas home appliances are not properly installed or not maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance Right for You?

Making the choice between gas and electricity is not always simple 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 cheaper fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, converting to gas is expensive. Thus, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.

Another key advantage of natural gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power outages happen often where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can be a big plus.

Lastly, the eco-friendly credentials of gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical devices. Opting for renewable energy may turn out to be a better investment and more sustainable options in the long run.