Gas Appliances

Thinking about switching to gas appliances could be a way to reduce your bills while experiencing increases in performance and productivity.

Gas abundant in the US resulting in low, stable costs, and shale gas is considered to be the least polluting fossil fuel, consequently, it can be regarded as the greener option.

If you already have gas installed in your home, or are building a new house you might consider the likely gains of using more gas and gas household appliances.

Read more about gas appliances here from Horizon Appliance Repair:

What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?

A gas appliance makes use of gas as the primary fuel source. Natural gas home appliances present a great alternative for electrical appliances.

Usually you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas water heater will work even when there is a power outage, whereas a gas tumble dryer still requires electrical components.

A List of Home Appliances That use Gas.

Natural gas can have a great many uses in your house.

Keeping You Warm

Heating your home with gas is typically less expensive than providing heat with electricity. Your outgoings could be cut in half depending on your energy prices and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas heats the air in less time and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.

An Indoor Fire

Apart from general heating natural gas is great for a log fire with real flames. With a natural gas fire, you still get all the ambiance and a focal point without the hassle.

Cooling

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

Natural gas fueled air conditioning could be more expensive to begin with but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning cost savings in the long term. Superior effectiveness has the added positive impact of lowering your C02 emissions.

Hot Water

Natural gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are quicker and more fuel efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless water heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that natural gas lines are usually hidden and sheltered from the weather ensures you still have the ability to wash even if there’s a power outage.

Preparing Food

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

Clever marketing or not the saying has stuck around because it is true. The majority of chefs choose natural gas for the fact that they can vary the size of the flame, and gas stoves provide a less wasteful way of turning fuel into heat.

Clothes Dryers

Natural gas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to laundry, however, natural gas dryers can be an excellent choice. Gas Dryers work a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Living

Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? Outside, natural gas is often used for patio lights and food prep and can even be used to heat your pool.

Impress friends before they even reach the front door with path lights, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get food cooked outside at the perfect temperature, 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 heat the water twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And natural gas fire pits set the mood as well as providing comfort for luxurious outside entertaining.

Advantages of Natural Gas Home Appliances

With any decision you make it makes sense to look at the pros and the cons. First up the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.

Choosing gas will save you money on your utility bills.
Natural gas appliances tend to use less energy making them better for your wallet and for the environment.
Natural gas is an eco-friendly option as it is considered the least polluting of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Natural 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.

Cons of Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas home appliances usually are subject to a higher initial cost. Both the price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be greater.
Having a gas line installed can be costly. The cost will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
Having a gas line moved or extended can also require a big outlay so this should always be included in any cost comparisons.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas devices are not properly installed or not maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

Making the choice between gas and electricity is not easy and the optimal choice for you probably won’t be the best choice for everyone.

If your main driver is cost gas is currently the cheaper option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, retrospectively installing natural gas is expensive. 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 benefit of gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power cuts can be a huge benefit.

Finally, in environmental terms, while gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical home appliances. Choosing renewable energy could be less expensive and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.