Gas Appliances

Considering gas devices might be a way to reduce your bills at the same time as seeing increases in comfort and efficiency.

There is a abundant supply of gas in the United States meaning that prices are low and stable, and shale gas is viewed as the cleanest fossil fuel, therefore, it can be seen as the least environmentally damaging option.

If you already have natural gas installed in your house, or are completing a new dwelling you should consider the potential gains of using more gas and gas household appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances here from Pride Appliance Repair:

What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?

A natural gas appliance makes use of natural gas as the primary power source. Natural gas goods afford a practicable substitute for electrical appliances for heating your home, heating water, heating food and even cooling your home and laundry.

Usually you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The quantity electricity used depends on the type of appliance. E.g, a natural gas boiler will provide hot water even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas dryer still relies upon electricity to make the drum turn.

Types of Gas Home Appliances

Gas isn’t just for heating.

Keeping You Warm

Keeping yourself warm with gas is typically less expensive than providing heat using electrical appliances. Your expenditure could halve subject to your fuel tariffs and relative efficiency gains.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.This is a huge benefit if you for winter power outages

Fireplaces

Apart from keeping your home warm natural gas is perfect for a fireplace. With a natural gas fire, you still get all the ambiance and a warm home without the mess.

Cooling Your Home

Gas can be an adept way to cool your home.

Gas air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning lower prices in the long term. Superior performance has the added benefit of lowering your C02 emissions.

Water Heaters

Natural gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are more rapid and more fuel efficient than their electric counterparts. On-demand water heaters also give a continuous supply. Which is useful if you have a big family that indulges in long showers.

The fact that natural gas lines are almost always hidden and guarded from the weather ensures you still have the ability to wash even when there’s a power outage.

Cooking Food

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

Clever marketing or not the saying is used today because it is valid. Most chefs and amateur cooks choose gas for the ability to control the heat, and natural gas hobs are also a much more efficient way of turning fuel into heat.

Tumble Dryers

Gas might not be the first place your mind goes when it comes to drying clothes, however, gas clothes dryers are a great choice. They operate a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in less time.

Outdoor Living

Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. When it comes to outdoor entertaining, natural gas is a popular choice for patio lights and outdoor cooking and even to heat your spa.

Impress friends as soon as they arrive with outdoor lights, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get the food cooking outside, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And natural gas outdoor heaters offer ambiance as well as offering comfort for the best outside entertaining.

Pros of Gas Appliances

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

Natural gas is generally less expensive than electricity saving you money on your annual energy bills.
Gas devices tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an environmentally responsible selection as it is viewed as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 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 cook even if the power goes out.At worst you might need to find a match.

Cons of Natural gas Appliances

Natural gas home appliances tend to require a higher initial investment. Both the cost of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be greater.
Having a gas line installed can be costly. The price will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your provider before making a final decision.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also require a big outlay so this should always be added to any cost comparisons.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas home appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance Right for You?

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

Currently natural gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the price is your main motivation this can be a major factor in the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, switching to natural gas comes at a cost. With this in mind, 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 benefit of gas is reliability of supply. If power failures are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can be a big plus.

Finally, in environmental terms, while natural gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical appliances. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be less expensive and more eco-friendly options in the long run.