Gas Appliances

Considering switching to gas home appliances may be an option to reduce your bills at the same time as seeing increases in ease, efficiency and performance.

Shale gas is in plentiful supply in the US resulting in low, stable equivalent prices, and natural gas is considered the least polluting fossil fuel, consequently, it can be viewed as the most eco-friendly choice.

If you already have a gas line at home, or are completing a new house you might consider the potential gains of using more natural gas and natural gas household appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances here from Metro Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Home Appliances?

A natural gas device employs gas as the main fuel source. These devices offer a practicable alternative to electrically powered home appliances.

Usually you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a natural gas water heater will work even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas dryer still relies upon electricity to make the drum turn.

Examples of Gas Appliances

Natural gas could have any number of uses in your home.

Heating

Heating your home with gas is generally less expensive than heating your home using electricity. Your outgoings could be cut in half subject to your fuel costs and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.

A Fireplace

Aside from heating gas is ideal for a fireplace.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a gas fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and a warm home without the mess.

Air Conditioning

Gas can offer an adept means to keep your home cool.

Gas fueled air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning cost savings in the long term. Better efficiency has the added positive impact of reducing your C02 emissions.

Hot Water

Natural gas water boilers come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are quicker and more productive than electric water boilers. On-demand heaters also provide a continuous supply.

The fact that gas lines are almost always hidden and sheltered from the elements means you will still have hot water even if you don’t have electricity.

Preparing Food

Most people have come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line conceived to link the use of natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the etiology the saying stuck because it is valid. A great many chefs and amature cooks choose natural gas for the ability to vary the temperature, and natural gas stoves provide a more cost effective way of converting energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

Natural gas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to laundry, however, gas clothes dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers heat the air at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Living

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

Wow guests before they even reach the front door with path lighting, keep them warm even when the temperature falls and get the food cooking outside, when you like, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as rapidly as an electric equivalent. And natural gas outdoor heaters set the mood as well as offering warmth for perfect outside entertaining.

Benefits of Natural Gas Home Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to gas devices. Here are some of the benefits.

Choosing gas will save you money on your power bills.
Gas devices tend to be more efficient making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the environment.
Natural gas is an ecologically sound selection as it is considered the cleanest of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less C02 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 your home even if the power goes out.

Cons of Natural Gas Appliances

Gas appliances generally require a higher initial outlay. Both the cost of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be higher.
Installing a new gas line can be costly. The price will vary depending on a number of factors.
Having a gas line moved or extended can also be expensive.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas devices are not properly installed or not maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

Making the change between gas and electricity is not always simple and the right choice for you might not be the optimal choice for everyone.

Currently natural 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, retrospectively installing gas is expensive. With this in mind, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.

Another benefit of natural gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts are common where you live then having appliances that continue to work during power cuts can count for a lot.

Finally, in environmental terms, while gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical devices. Opting for renewable energy may turn out to be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.