Gas Appliances

Considering switching to gas appliances may be a good option to lower expenditures while seeing gains in comfort, convenience and efficiency.

There is a abundant supply of natural gas in the United States meaning that costs are low and stable, and natural gas is looked upon as the least polluting non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be seen as the environmentally responsible choice.

If you already have a natural gas line in your house, or are completing a new dwelling you may wish to think about the probable benefits of choosing natural gas and gas appliances. Find more information about gas appliances here from Crown Citrus Heights Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Appliances?

A gas home appliance uses gas as the primary power source. Gas appliances are a workable substitute to electrical goods.

In many cases natural gas home appliances still require an electricity supply but use gas as the main source of power. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas boiler will still work even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a natural gas tumble dryer still relies upon electricity to make the drum turn.

Types of Gas Appliances

Gas has any number of uses in your house.

Heating

Keeping yourself warm with gas is generally less expensive than heating with electricity. Your expenditure could be cut in half subject to your fuel costs and efficiency.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.

An Indoor Fire

Apart from keeping your home warm gas is ideal for a log fire with real flames. With a gas fire, you still get all the ambiance and a focal point without the mess.

Cooling Your Home

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

Gas powered air conditioning can be more expensive to begin with but is better value to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Higher performance also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Hot Water

Gas water heaters come in two styles, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are more rapid and more efficient than their electric counterparts. Tankless water heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that natural gas lines are almost always hidden and sheltered from the elements means you can still have heating even when you don’t have electricity.

Cooking Food

We’ve all encountered the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line conceived to link the use of natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is valid. A great many chefs and amateur cooks choose gas for the ability to vary the temperature, and natural gas hobs also offer a more cost effective way of converting fuel into heat.

Tumble Dryers

Gas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas tumble dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers dry clothes at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time.

Using Gas Outside

You have to restrict your natural gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, gas is a popular choice for lighting and cooking and even to heat your spa.

Wow friends before they even reach the front door with path lighting, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get dinner ready outside at the perfect temperature, when you like, and without the need to remember to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And gas fire pits offer ambiance as well as giving comfort for the best outside entertaining.

Advantages of Gas Home Appliances

As in all things there are pros and cons to natural gas home appliances. Here are some of the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.

Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual energy bills.
Gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them a better choice for your wallet and for the planet.
Natural gas is an environmentally responsible option as it is viewed as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply more reliable. This means you can continue to cool your home even if the power goes out.

Negatives of Gas Appliances

Natural gas appliances generally require a higher initial investment. Both the price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be higher.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be costly. The cost will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount so this should always be added to any cost comparisons.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas appliances are not properly installed or not maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not always simple and the right choice for you may not be the right choice for everyone.

If your main driver is cost 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, converting to gas comes at a cost. Thus, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.

Another key advantage of gas is reliability of supply. If power failures happen often in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can be a huge benefit.

Finally, in environmental terms, while natural gas home appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical devices. Opting for renewable energy could be less expensive and more eco-friendly options in the long run.