Gas Appliances

Considering gas devices may be a way to lower expenditures while seeing increases in comfort and efficiency.

There is a high supply of shale gas in the US meaning that prices per unit are low and stable, and natural gas is looked upon as the cleanest non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be regarded as the environmentally responsible choice.

If you already have gas installed in your house, or are building a new house you might consider the potential gains of gas devices and gas appliances.

Read more about gas appliances below from Cross Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Home Appliance?

A gas appliance employs natural gas as the primary power source. Natural gas appliances afford a viable substitute to electrically powered goods for heating your home, heating water, heating food and even cooling your home and tumble drying.

In most instances natural gas devices nonetheless will need an electrical outlet but use natural gas as the main fuel. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a natural gas boiler will provide hot water even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas tumble dryer still relies upon electrical components to make the drum turn.

Types of Gas Home Appliances

Gas is about more than cooking.

Heating

Providing heat with natural gas is generally less expensive than heating using electrical heaters. Savings can be as much as 50% depending on your fuel costs and efficiency.

Gas heats the air faster and is more reliable.This is very handy if you experience regular power outages in the winter

Fireplaces

As well as keeping your home warm gas is great for a log fire with real flames. With a gas fire, you still get all the ambiance and a warm home without the mess.

Cooling

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

Gas air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Higher effectiveness has the added upside of reducing your C02 emissions.

Hot Water

Natural gas water heaters come in two styles, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are faster and more efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless heaters also offer a continuous supply.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally underground and sheltered from the weather means you can still have hot water even when you don’t have electricity.

Cooking

Most people have encountered the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link the use of gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the saying is still around because it is true. The majority of chefs choose gas for the fact that they can vary the size of the flame, and natural gas hobs are also a much more efficient way of converting energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You might not immediately think of using natural gas to dry your clothes, however, natural gas clothes dryers have many advantages. They heat the air at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in less time.

Outdoor Entertaining

You have to restrict your natural gas use to indoor appliances. Outside the home, gas is a great power source for lighting and cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.

Wow friends before they even get out of the car with outdoor lighting, keep them warm even when the temperature falls and get food cooked outside, when you like, and without the having to go to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And gas patio heaters set the mood as well as offering heat for luxurious indoor-outdoor living.

Advantages of Natural Gas Appliances

With any decision you make it’s best weight up the pros and the cons. Here are some of the advantages.

Gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual power bills.
Gas appliances tend to use less energy making them a more sustainable choice for your wallet and for the environment.
Natural gas is an eco-friendly option as it is the least polluting of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Gas lines are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to heat water even if the power goes out.

Negatives of Gas Appliances

Gas appliances usually have a higher initial outlay. Both the value of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be more for a natural gas appliance when comparing to electrical appliances.
Having a gas line installed can be expensive. The price will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your provider before making any decisions.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also be expensive so this should always be included in any cost comparisons.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas devices are not installed correctly or not maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use gas in your home.

Should You Choose Natural Gas?

Making the decision between gas and electricity is not straightforward and the best choice for you may not be the optimal decision for everyone.

If your main driver is cost natural gas is currently the cheaper fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, retrospectively installing gas comes at a cost. Thus, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good first step.

Another benefit of gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power outages are common in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while gas home appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical goods. Choosing renewable energy could be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly options in the long run.