Considering switching to gas home appliances could be an option to save money at the same time as experiencing higher levels of performance and productivity.
Natural gas easy to extract in the US resulting in low, stable prices, and shale gas is considered to be the cleanest non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be regarded as the greener choice.
If you already have natural gas installed in your house, or are completing a new dwelling you might think about the probable gains of natural gas appliances and gas appliances. Read more about gas appliances here from Rapid Richmond Appliance Repair:
What is a Natural Gas Appliance?
A natural gas device employs natural gas as the primary power source. Gas home appliances present a viable alternative for electrically powered home appliances.
In general you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electric used depends on how the appliance works. For example, a natural gas stove will still operate even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still requires electricity.
Types of Natural Gas Appliances
Gas can have any number of purposes in your house.
Heating
Heating your home with natural gas generally costs less than providing heat using electrical appliances. Savings can be as high as 50% subject to your fuel tariffs and relative efficiency gains.
Natural gas heats the air faster and is more reliable.This is a big plus if you experience regular power outages in the winter
An Indoor Fire
Apart from general heating natural gas is ideal for a log fire with real flames. With a natural gas fire, you still get all the ambiance and a warm home without the mess.
Cooling
Natural gas can be an efficient method to cool your home.
Gas fueled air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning savings in the long term. Higher efficiency has the added benefit of cutting your C02 emissions.
Water Heating
There are two types of natural gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Gas heaters are quicker and more productive than electric water heaters. Tankless heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand.
The fact that gas lines are generally underground and guarded from the weather means you can still have heating even when there’s a power outage.
Cooking Food
Everyone has heard the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the saying is still around because it is valid. A great many chefs and home cooks choose natural gas for the ease with which you can vary the heat, and natural gas hobs provide a less wasteful way of turning energy into heat.
Clothes Dryers
You may not immediately think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, natural gas tumble dryers are a great choice. They operate at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Outdoor Entertaining
Did you know you don’t just have to use natural gas inside your home? Outside, gas is often used for lighting and cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.
Wow guests before they even reach the front door with outdoor lighting, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.
Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as quickly as an electric heater. And gas fire pits set the mood as well as providing heat for the best indoor-outdoor living.
Advantages of Natural Gas Appliances
With any decision you make it’s best investigate the pros and the cons. Here are some of the benefits of choosing Natural Gas.
- Gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual utility costs.
- Natural gas home appliances tend to use less energy making them a better choice for your wallet and for the environment.
- Gas is an environmentally responsible option as it is viewed as the least polluting of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Gas lines are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to cook even if there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.
Disadvantages of Natural gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas devices tend to 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 appliances.
- 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.
- Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also require a big outlay.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas home appliances are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.
Is a Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?
Making the decision between natural gas and electricity is not straightforward and the optimal choice for you might not be the right decision for everyone.
If your main driver is cost gas is currently the least expensive option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing natural gas is expensive. Thus, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good first step.
Another benefit of natural gas is stability of supply. If power failures happen often where you live then having appliances that continue to work during outages can count for a lot.
Lastly, the environmental credentials of natural gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical devices. Choosing renewable energy could be less expensive and more eco-friendly options in the long run.