Gas Appliances

Thinking about switching to natural gas appliances could be a good option to lower expenditures while experiencing higher levels of comfort and efficiency.

Gas easy to extract in the US meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and gas is viewed as the cleanest fossil fuel, thus, it can be regarded as the greener choice.

If you already have natural gas installed at home, or are buying a new home you should think about the probable gains of choosing natural gas and gas home appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances below from Apollo Appliance Repair:

What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?

A natural gas device uses natural gas as the dominant fuel source. These appliances are a great substitute to electrically powered devices for heating your home, heating water, cooking food and even cooling your home and clothes drying.

In general you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a natural gas furnace can still be used even if the power goes out, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still needs electricity.

A List of Devices That Run On Natural Gas.

Natural gas isn’t just for heating.

Proving Heat

Keeping yourself warm with gas is usually less expensive than keeping warm using electricity. The difference can be as high as 50% subject to your fuel costs and relative efficiency gains.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and is more reliable.This is a big plus if you if you get power cuts

Fireplaces

Aside from general heating gas is ideal for a log fire with real flames.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a gas fire, you still get all the ambiance and plenty of warmth without the mess.

Air Conditioning

Gas can offer an effective way to cool your home, even if there is a power cut.

Gas powered air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning cost savings in the long term. Better effectiveness has the added benefit of lowering your C02 emissions.

Water Heaters

There are two types of gas water boilers, non-tank and tank. Gas heaters are quicker and more productive than electric water heaters. Tankless heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand. Handy if you have a big family that appreciates long showers.

The fact that gas lines are usually dug into the ground and protected from the elements ensures you will still have the ability to heat your home even if you don’t have electricity.

Cooking

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

Regardless of the origin the phrase has stuck around because it is valid. The majority of chefs choose gas for the ability to vary the temperature, and gas hobs also offer a more cost effective way of converting energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

Gas might not be the immediate place your mind goes when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas clothes dryers have many advantages. They operate at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in less time.

Outdoor Entertaining

Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, gas is often used for patio lights and outdoor cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.

Impress guests before they even get out of the car with path lighting, keep them warm even when the temperature falls and get dinner ready outside, when you like, and without the need to remember to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric heater. And gas fire pits offer ambiance as well as offering warmth for perfect indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Benefits of Natural Gas Appliances

With any decision you make it makes sense to weight up the pros and the cons. First up the advantages.

Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual energy costs.
Natural gas appliances tend to use less energy making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the environment.
Gas is an ecologically sound selection as it is considered the least polluting of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Natural gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to heat your home even if the power goes out.At worst you might need to find a match.

Cons of Gas Home Appliances

Gas devices generally require a higher initial cost. Both the cost of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be higher.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your energy company before making any decisions.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also be expensive so this should be added to any cost comparisons.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas devices are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance Right for You?

Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the best choice for you probably won’t be the right choice for everyone.

If your main driver is cost natural gas is currently the least expensive option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing natural gas is expensive. Thus, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.

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

Lastly, the sustainability credentials of natural gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical goods. Installing renewable energy may turn out to be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.