Gas Appliances

Considering switching to gas appliances might be a way to save money while experiencing gains in comfort, convenience and efficiency.

Natural gas easy to extract in the United States meaning that costs are low and stable, and shale gas is considered the least polluting non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be viewed as the environmentally responsible choice.

If you already have natural gas installed at home, or are completing a new dwelling you should look at the potential gains of gas appliances and natural gas household appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances below from One Call Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Home Appliances?

A gas appliance employs gas as the main fuel source. These devices offer a workable substitute to electrically powered appliances for heating your living space, providing hot water, heating food and even air conditioning and drying your clothes.

Generally you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas furnace will still operate even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a gas dryer still requires electricity to make the drum turn.

Different Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas isn’t just for cooking.

Proving Heat

Keeping yourself warm with gas is generally less expensive than providing heat using electricity. Your expenditure could halve subject to your energy tariffs and efficiency.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and is more reliable.This is a huge benefit if you experience regular power outages in the winter

Fireplaces

As well as heating gas is great for a fireplace. With a natural gas fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and a focal point without the mess.

Cooling

Gas can be an adept way to cool your home, even if there is a power failure.

Gas air conditioning may be a higher price to install but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning cost savings in the long term. Higher effectiveness has the added upside of reducing your C02 emissions.

Water Heaters

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

The fact that natural gas lines are usually dug into the ground and sheltered from the elements means you can still have heating even when there’s a power outage.

Cooking

Everyone has encountered the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line designed to link the use of natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the saying is still around because it is accurate. The majority of chefs choose gas for the ease with which you can control the temperature, and gas ranges also offer a much more efficient way of turning energy into heat.

Clothes Dryers

You may not instantly think of using gas to dry your clothes, however, natural gas tumble dryers are a great choice. They dry clothes at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in less time.

Outdoor Living

Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, natural gas is a great power source for patio lights and cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.

delight friends as soon as they arrive with path lighting, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside, when you like, and without the having to go to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And gas patio heaters offer ambiance as well as offering comfort for perfect indoor-outdoor living.

Pros of Gas Home Appliances

With any decision you make it’s best look at the pros and the cons. Here are some of the pros of choosing Natural Gas.

  • Gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual power costs.
  • Gas appliances tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
  • Gas is an environmentally responsible choice as it is viewed as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, contributing 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 heat your home even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Disadvantages of Gas Home Appliances

  • Natural gas home appliances generally have a higher initial investment. Both the value of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be higher.
  • Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your energy company before deciding.
  • Moving or extending a natural gas line can also cost a considerable amount.
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas devices are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

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

Currently gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the cost is your main driver 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, converting to gas is expensive. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.

Another reason to choose natural gas is reliability of supply. If power failures are common where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power failures can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical appliances. Choosing renewable energy could be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.

Additional Types of Appliances