Gas Appliances

Thinking about switching to natural gas devices could be a way to save money while experiencing increases in comfort, convenience and efficiency.

Gas is in plentiful supply in the United States meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and shale gas is looked upon as the least polluting fossil fuel, therefore, it can be regarded as the environmentally responsible choice.

If you already have a gas line in your home, or are buying a new dwelling you should look at the probable advantages of choosing natural gas and natural gas appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances below from Vance Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Appliance?

A natural gas appliance uses natural gas as the primary power source. Natural gas devices afford a practicable substitute to electrically powered goods.

In most instances gas devices nonetheless will need an electrical outlet but use natural gas as the main fuel. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas cooker will still work even if the power goes out, whereas a gas dryer still relies upon electricity.

A List of Devices That Use Gas

Gas isn’t just for cooking.

Keeping You Warm

Heating your home with natural gas typically costs less than providing heat using electricity. The reduction can be up to 50% depending on your fuel prices and efficiency.

Natural 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.

An Indoor Fire

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 a warm home without the mess.

Cooling Your Home

Gas air conditioners can offer an adept way to cool your home.

Natural gas fueled air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning savings in the long term. Higher effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Hot Water

There are two types of gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Gas heaters are more rapid and more fuel efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless water heaters also give a continuous supply.

The fact that gas lines are almost always underground and sheltered from the weather ensures you will still have heating even when you don’t have electricity.

Preparing Food

Most people have heard the saying “cooking with gas”. A great marketing strategy designed to link natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the origin the phrase stuck because it is valid. The majority of chefs choose natural gas for the ability to vary the size of the flame, and natural gas ranges also offer a much more efficient way of turning energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You may not instantly think of using gas to dry your clothes, however, gas dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers dry clothes at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in less time.

Outdoor Living

You have to restrict your natural gas use to indoor appliances. Outside the home, natural gas is a great power source for patio lights and outdoor cooking and even to heat your spa.

Wow your guests as soon as they arrive with outdoor lighting, keep them warm even when the temperature falls and get a meal prepared outside, when you like, and without the need to remember to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric heater. And natural gas patio heaters give atmosphere as well as providing warmth for the best outside living.

Benefits of Natural Gas Appliances

With any decision you make it’s best weight up the pros and the cons. Here are some of the benefits.

Choosing gas will cut your energy bills.
Gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an ecologically sound selection as it is the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can continue to cook even if the power goes out.

Disadvantages of Natural gas Appliances

Gas devices tend to have a higher initial investment. Both the cost of the appliance and the cost to install 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 supplier before making a final decision.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also require a big outlay.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas devices are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?

Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not always simple and the optimal choice for you may not be the optimal decision for everyone.

Currently gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the cost is your main motivation 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 natural gas, switching to gas is expensive. Therefore, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.

Another key advantage of natural 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 cuts can count for a lot.

Finally, 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 home appliances. Installing solar panels or a heat pump could be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly options in the long run.