Gas Appliances

Considering switching to natural gas appliances may be a good option to reduce your bills while seeing increases in comfort and efficiency.

Gas is in plentiful supply in the United States meaning that costs are low and stable, and natural gas is considered to be the cleanest fossil fuel, consequently, it can be regarded as the environmentally responsible option.

If you already have a gas line in your home, or are building a new dwelling you should consider the probable gains of switching to gas and natural gas home appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances here from P&G Union Appliance Repair:

What is a Natural Gas Home Appliance?

A gas home appliance uses natural gas as the dominant power source. Gas appliances afford a viable alternative to electrically powered goods.

In general you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a gas stove can still be used even if the power goes out, whereas a gas clothes dryer still requires electricity to make the drum turn.

Examples of Natural Gas Appliances

Gas could have many uses in your home.

Keeping You Warm

Keeping yourself warm with gas usually costs less than heating with electricity. The reduction can be as much as 50% subject to your energy costs and efficiency.

Gas heats the air more quickly and offers better reliability.This is a huge benefit if you if you get power cuts

A Fireplace

As well as heating natural gas is ideal for a fireplace. With a gas fireplace, you still get real flames and plenty of warmth without the hassle.

Air Conditioning

Gas air conditioners can offer an adept way to keep your home cool, even if there is a power outage.

Gas powered air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is better value to run and maintain meaning cost savings in the long term. Better effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Heating Water

Gas water heaters come in two styles, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are faster and more productive than their electric counterparts. On-demand heaters also provide a continuous supply even with high demand. Which is useful if you have a big family that appreciates long showers.

The fact that natural gas lines are usually hidden and sheltered from the elements ensures you can still have the ability to shower even if you don’t have electricity.

Preparing Food

We’ve all heard the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line conceived to link the use of natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase is used today because it is accurate. A great many chefs and amature cooks choose gas for the ease with which you can control the heat, and natural gas ranges provide a more cost effective way of turning fuel into heat.

Dryers

Gas might not be the first place your mind goes when it comes to drying clothes, however, gas dryers have many advantages. They work a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Using Natural Gas Outside

You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, natural gas is often used for patio lights and food prep and can even be used to heat your spa.

Impress guests before they even reach the front door with path lights, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get dinner ready outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go 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 gas patio heaters set the mood as well as providing comfort for the best outside entertaining.

Pros of Natural Gas Appliances

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

Choosing natural gas will save you money on your utility bills.
Gas devices tend to be more efficient making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the planet.
Natural gas is an ecologically sound option as it is the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide 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 there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.

Disadvantages of Gas Appliances

Natural gas devices usually require a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be more.
Installing a new gas line 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 be added to any cost comparisons.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

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

If your main driver is cost natural gas is currently the cheaper fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing natural gas is expensive. With this in mind, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.

Another key advantage of natural gas is stability of supply. If power failures are common where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can count for a lot.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical devices. Choosing renewable energy may turn out to be more cost-effective and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.