Gas Appliances

Considering switching to gas devices could be an option to reduce your bills while experiencing higher levels of comfort and efficiency.

Gas abundant in the United States resulting in low, stable prices per unit, and natural gas is looked upon as the cleanest non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be viewed as the greener option.

If you already have a gas line in your home, or are building a new house you may wish to think about the possible gains of gas appliances and gas home appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances here from Giles Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Appliances?

A gas home appliance uses natural gas as the primary fuel source. These home appliances present a viable substitute for electrical home appliances.

Usually you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electric used depends on how the appliance works. For example, a gas boiler will still work even when there is a power outage, whereas a gas clothes dryer still relies upon electrical components.

A List of Home Appliances That Use Gas.

Natural gas can be used for more than heating.

Keeping You Warm

Heating your home with natural gas is usually less expensive than heating your home with electricity. The reduction can be as high as 50% subject to your energy costs and relative efficiency gains.

Gas heats the air in less time and offers better reliability.This is a huge benefit if you for winter power outages

An Indoor Fire

As well as keeping your home warm gas is ideal 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 fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and plenty of warmth without the fuss.

Cooling Your Home

Gas can be an effective method to keep cool.

Natural gas air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Superior effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Hot Water

There are two styles of gas water heaters, non-tank and tank. Natural gas heaters are more rapid and more fuel efficient than their electric counterparts. Tankless heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand.

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

Cooking

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

Regardless of the origin the saying is used today because it is true. A great many chefs choose natural gas for the ease with which you can vary the temperature, and gas stoves are also a much more efficient way of turning energy into heat.

Dryers

Gas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas dryers are a great choice. They dry clothes a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Using Gas Outside

Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside the home, natural gas is a popular choice for patio lights and food prep and even to heat your spa.

Wow your guests before they even reach the front door with outdoor lights, keep them toasty even when the temperature drops and get dinner ready 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 heat the water twice as rapidly as an electric heater. And gas fire pits set the mood as well as giving comfort for the best outside living.

Benefits of Natural Gas Home Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas devices. First up the advantages.

Gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual utility costs.
Natural gas devices tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Gas is an eco-friendly option as it is the least polluting of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply more reliable. This means you can still cook even if the power goes out.

Disadvantages of Natural gas Home Appliances

Gas appliances tend to have a higher initial cost. Both the cost of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be higher.
Having a natural gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be costly. The price will vary depending on a number of factors.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount so this should always be added to any cost benefit analysis.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas appliances are not installed correctly or not maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not straightforward and the optimal choice for you probably won’t be the right decision for everyone.

If your main driver is cost gas is at the moment the lower priced option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, switching to gas is expensive. Therefore, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.

Another benefit of natural gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts are common in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power cuts can be a huge benefit.

Finally, in environmental terms, while gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical goods. Installing solar panels or a heat pump could be less expensive and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.