Gas Appliances

Looking at switching to gas appliances may be a good option to save money at the same time as seeing gains in comfort and efficiency.

Shale gas is in plentiful supply in the US meaning that prices per unit are low and stable, and gas is viewed as the cleanest non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be viewed as the environmentally responsible alternative.

If you already have a natural gas line in your home, or are completing a new dwelling you might think about the probable gains of choosing gas and gas home appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances below from Hi-Tech Miramar Appliance Repair:

What is a Natural Gas Home Appliance?

A natural gas device uses gas as the main fuel source. These goods afford a practicable substitute for electrically powered goods for heating your house, heating water, heating your food and even cooling your home and drying your clothes.

Generally you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a gas water heater will work even when there is a power outage, whereas a gas clothes dryer still relies upon electrical components to make the drum turn.

A List of Devices That Operate Using Gas.

Natural gas can have a great many purposes in your home.

Proving Heat

Providing heat with natural gas is typically less expensive than heating with electricity. Your outgoings could be cut in half subject to your energy prices and relative efficiency gains.

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

An Indoor Fire

As well as general heating gas is perfect 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 real flames and plenty of warmth without the mess.

Air Conditioning

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

Gas fueled air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning lower prices in the long term. Better performance also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Hot Water

There are two types of natural gas water boilers, on demand and tank. Gas heaters are quicker and more efficient than electric water heaters. On-demand heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally dug into the ground and sheltered from the elements ensures you will still have hot water even if there’s a power outage.

Preparing Food

Most people have heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great commercial strategy designed to link the use of natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase is used today because it is accurate. Most chefs choose gas for the fact that they can vary the heat, and gas hobs provide a much more efficient way of converting fuel into heat.

Dryers

Natural gas might not be the first place your mind goes when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas tumble dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers dry clothes a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in a shorter time.

Outdoor Living

Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? Outside, gas is a popular choice for patio lights and cooking and even to heat your pool.

Impress your guests before they even reach the front door with driveway lighting, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get food cooked outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as rapidly as an electric heater. And natural gas fire pits give ambiance as well as offering comfort for luxurious outside living.

Benefits of Gas Appliances

With any decision you make it’s best weight up the pros and the cons. First up the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.

Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual power bills.
Natural gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them a better choice for your wallet and for the environment.
Gas is an eco-friendly choice as it is considered the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply more reliable. This means you can still cool your home even if you get a power outage.

Disadvantages of Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas appliances tend to have a higher initial cost. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be greater for a gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one 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 energy company before making a final decision.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also cost a considerable amount so this should always be included in any cost comparisons.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas devices are not properly installed or regularly maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

Making the decision between natural gas and electricity is not straightforward and the right choice for you might not be the right choice for everyone.

Currently natural gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the cost is your main driver this can be a big part of the decision-making process. 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. Thus, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.

Another benefit 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 be a huge benefit.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas home appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be a better investment and more eco-friendly options in the long run.