Gas Appliances

Considering switching to natural gas appliances might be an option to lower expenditures at the same time as experiencing gains in performance and productivity.

Gas is in plentiful supply in the United States meaning that costs are low and stable, and shale gas is relatively the least polluting non-renewable energy source, therefore, it can be viewed as the least environmentally damaging alternative.

If you already have a gas line in your house, or are building a new house you may wish to think about the possible advantages of using more gas and gas appliances.

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

What is a Gas Appliance?

A natural gas device employs gas as the primary fuel source. Gas goods are a viable substitute for electrical devices.

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 natural gas water heater will work even if the power goes out, whereas a gas dryer still needs electricity to make the drum turn.

Types of Natural Gas Home Appliances

Gas could have many purposes in your home.

Proving Heat

Providing heat with gas typically costs less than keeping warm with electricity. Your expenditure could halve subject to your energy tariffs and efficiency.

Natural gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.

An Indoor Fire

Apart from general heating natural gas is perfect 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 hassle.

Cooling

Gas can offer an effective means to cool your home.

Natural gas fueled air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning cost savings in the long term. Superior performance also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Heating Water

Gas water boilers come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are faster and more efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless water heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally hidden and guarded from the elements means you will still have hot water even when you don’t have electricity.

Cooking Food

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

Clever marketing or not the phrase has stuck around because it is valid. Most chefs choose natural gas for the ease with which you can vary the temperature, and natural gas ranges also offer a less wasteful way of converting fuel into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You might not immediately think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, natural gas dryers have many advantages. They work at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in less time.

Outdoor Living

You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. Outside, gas is a popular choice for patio lights and food prep and can even be used to heat your pool.

Impress friends before they even get out of the car with driveway lighting, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get dinner ready outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as rapidly as an electric heater. And gas patio heaters provide atmosphere as well as offering comfort for luxurious outside living.

Advantages of Natural Gas Home Appliances

As in all things there are pros and cons to natural gas home appliances. First up the pros of choosing Natural Gas.

Choosing gas will cut your energy bills.
Natural gas appliances tend to use less energy making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the planet.
Gas is an eco-friendly choice as it is the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, emitting 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 water even if the power goes out.At worst you might need to find a match.

Negatives of Gas Appliances

Gas home appliances usually have 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 if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The cost will vary depending on a number of factors.
Having a gas line moved or extended can also require a big outlay.
Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas home appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

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

If your main driver is cost gas is for the time being the lower priced fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, switching to natural gas comes at a cost. Thus, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.

Another benefit of natural gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts are common 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, the sustainability credentials of gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical goods. Installing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.