Gas Appliances

Thinking about gas devices may be an option to reduce your bills at the same time as experiencing gains in ease, efficiency and performance.

Natural gas abundant in the US meaning that costs are low and stable, and shale gas is considered the least polluting non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be viewed as the environmentally responsible option.

If you already have natural gas installed in your house, or are buying a new house you may wish to consider the potential advantages of natural gas home appliances and gas household appliances. Find more information about gas appliances below from Fast Fall River Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Appliance?

A gas device employs natural gas as the primary power source. Gas home appliances present a workable substitute for electrical appliances.

In many instances natural gas home appliances still will need an electrical outlet but use natural gas as the major source of power. The amount of electric used depends on the type of appliance. For example, a natural gas boiler will provide hot water even when there is a power outage, whereas a natural gas tumble dryer still relies upon electrical components to make the drum turn.

Examples of Natural Gas Appliances

Gas is about more than cooking.

Keeping You Warm

Keeping yourself warm with natural gas generally costs less than providing heat with electricity. The difference can be up to 50% subject to your energy tariffs and efficiency.

Natural gas heats the air more quickly and offers better reliability.

A Fireplace

Aside from heating natural gas is perfect for having a fire in your home. With a gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the fuss.

Air Conditioning

Gas air conditioning can offer an effective means to cool your home.

Gas air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning savings in the long term. Better effectiveness has the added upside of cutting 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 quicker and more productive than electric water boilers. On-demand water heaters also provide a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that gas lines are almost always hidden and sheltered from the weather ensures you can still have heating even if there’s a power outage.

Cooking Food

Everyone has heard the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase has stuck around because it is true. Most chefs choose natural gas for the ability to control the temperature, and natural gas ranges also offer a more cost effective way of turning fuel into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You may not instantly think of using gas in your laundry room, however, natural gas dryers can be an excellent choice. They heat the air at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time.

Outdoor Entertaining

Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, gas is a popular choice for lighting and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.

delight your guests as soon as they arrive with driveway lights, keep them toasty even when the temperature drops and get the food cooking outside at the perfect temperature, 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 heat the water twice as fast as an electric heater. And gas patio heaters provide atmosphere as well as providing warmth for the best indoor-outdoor living.

Pros of Gas Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to gas appliances. Here are some of the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.

Natural gas is generally less expensive than electricity thus lowering your annual energy costs.
Gas devices tend to use less energy making them better for your wallet and for the environment.
Gas is an eco-friendly choice as it is the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Natural gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply more reliable. This means you can still heat your home even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Disadvantages of Natural gas Appliances

Gas appliances tend to are subject to a higher initial cost. Both the cost of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be more for a natural gas appliance when comparing to electrical goods.
Installing a new gas line can be costly. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors.
Having a gas line moved or extended can also require a big outlay so this should be included in any cost benefit analysis.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas devices are not properly installed or not maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Natural Gas?

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

If your main driver is cost natural gas is at the moment the cheaper fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural 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 first step.

Another key advantage of gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power cuts happen often where you live then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can count for a lot.

Finally, in environmental terms, while natural gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical appliances. Installing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be more cost-effective and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.