Gas Appliances

Thinking about natural gas devices might be an option to reduce your bills at the same time as seeing increases in comfort and efficiency.

Natural gas is in plentiful supply in the US meaning that prices are low and stable, and natural gas is considered the least polluting non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be seen as the greener choice.

If you already have a gas line in your home, or are completing a new home you may wish to look at the possible benefits of gas appliances and gas home appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances here from R&D Colorado Springs Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Home Appliance?

A gas home appliance makes use of gas as the dominant power source. Natural gas appliances afford a viable substitute for electrical appliances for heating your house, providing hot water, heating food and even air conditioning and drying your clothes.

In general you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The quantity electric used depends on how the appliance works. E.g, a natural gas heater will still operate even if the power goes out, whereas a gas tumble dryer still requires electrical components.

Different Natural Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas could have many purposes in your house.

Heating

Heating your home with natural gas typically costs less than heating your home using electricity. The reduction can be as high as 50% subject to your fuel tariffs and efficiency.

Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.

Fireplaces

Aside from keeping your home warm gas is ideal for a fireplace.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 plenty of warmth without the fuss.

Air Conditioning

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

Natural gas powered air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Better performance has the added positive impact of reducing your C02 emissions.

Water Heaters

There are two types of natural gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Natural gas heaters are faster and more productive than electric water heaters. Tankless water heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand. Which is useful if you have a big household that appreciates long showers.

The fact that natural gas lines are almost always hidden and guarded from the elements ensures you still have hot water even if there’s a power outage.

Cooking

We’ve all come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line conceived to link the use of natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the origin the saying is used today because it is accurate. Most chefs and amature cooks choose gas for the ability to control the size of the flame, and natural gas stoves also offer a less wasteful way of turning energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

Natural gas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to laundry, however, gas tumble dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers operate a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Using Natural Gas Outside

Did you know you don’t just have to use natural gas inside your home? Outside the home, gas is a popular choice for lighting and outdoor cooking and even to heat your spa.

delight friends before they even get out of the car with driveway lights, keep them toasty even when the temperature drops and get food cooked outside, when you like, and without the need to remember to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And gas outdoor heaters offer ambiance as well as giving warmth for the best indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Advantages of Gas Appliances

As in all things there are pros and cons to natural gas appliances. First up the pros.

Choosing natural gas will reduce your energy bills.
Gas devices tend to use less energy making them a better choice for your wallet and for the environment.
Natural gas is an eco-friendly choice as it is the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can still heat water even if you get a power outage.

Cons of Natural Gas Appliances

Natural gas devices generally require a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be greater.
Installing a new gas line can be costly. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your supplier before making a final decision.
Moving or extending a gas line can also require a big outlay.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas devices are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance Right for You?

Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the best choice for you might not be the right choice for everyone.

Currently natural gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the price 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, retrospectively installing natural 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 key advantage of gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power failures happen often in your area 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 gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical devices. Choosing renewable energy could be less expensive and more eco-friendly options in the long run.