Considering switching to gas appliances could be a good option to save money at the same time as experiencing higher levels of ease, efficiency and performance.
Shale gas abundant in the US resulting in low, stable prices per unit, and gas is relatively the cleanest non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be regarded as the greener option.
If you already have gas installed at home, or are completing a new house you should look at the possible advantages of using more natural gas and gas appliances. Read more about gas appliances below from Choice Hawthorne Appliance Repair:
What are Gas Appliances?
A natural gas appliance runs on gas as the dominant power source. Natural gas home appliances are a practicable substitute to electrically powered appliances.
In the majority of situations gas appliances nonetheless require an electricity supply but use natural gas as the major source of power. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a natural gas range can still be used even when there is a power outage, whereas a gas clothes dryer still needs electricity.
Different Gas Appliances
Natural gas is not just for cooking.
Proving Heat
Keeping yourself warm with gas is usually less expensive than providing heat with electricity. Your costs could halve depending on your energy tariffs and efficiency.
Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.This is a big plus if you if you get power cuts
An Indoor Fire
Apart from general heating gas is great for having a fire in your home.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fire, you still get that open fire feeling and a warm home without the hassle.
Cooling Your Home
Natural gas air conditioners can be an efficient method to keep cool.
Gas powered air conditioning may be a higher price to begin with but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning savings in the long term. Superior effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Water Heaters
Gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are faster and more efficient than their electric counterparts. On-demand water heaters also give a continuous supply.
The fact that natural gas lines are usually underground and protected from the weather means you can still have heating even when there’s a power outage.
Preparing Food
We’ve all encountered the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link the use of natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is valid. Most chefs choose natural gas for the ability to vary the temperature, and gas ranges provide a much more efficient way of turning energy into heat.
Clothes Dryers
You may not immediately think of using natural gas to dry your clothes, however, gas clothes dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers dry clothes at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in a shorter time.
Outdoor Living
You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, gas is often used for patio lights and food prep and even to heat your pool.
Impress your guests as soon as they arrive with path lighting, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get the food cooking outside, when you like, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your gas bottles.
Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as quickly as an electric heater. And natural gas patio heaters provide ambiance as well as offering comfort for luxurious outside entertaining.
Advantages of Gas Home Appliances
As with anything there are pros and cons to gas home appliances. Here are some of the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.
- Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual utility bills.
- Gas appliances tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Gas is an ecologically sound choice as it is viewed as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Natural gas lines are generally run underground making supply more reliable. This means you can still heat water even if you get a power outage.
Negatives of Natural Gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas devices usually have a higher initial investment. Both the value of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be more.
- Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be costly. The amount 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 cost a considerable amount.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas home appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.
Should You Choose Gas?
Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not always simple and the right choice for you might not be the right choice for everyone.
If your main driver is cost gas is currently the cheaper fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, switching to natural gas comes at a cost. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good first step.
Another key advantage of natural gas is reliability of supply. If power failures are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can count for a lot.
Finally, the environmental credentials of gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical appliances. Installing solar panels or a heat pump could be more cost-effective and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.