Gas Appliances

Thinking about switching to gas appliances could be an option to save money at the same time as seeing higher levels of ease, efficiency and performance.

There is a high supply of gas in the US meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and gas is relatively the least polluting fossil fuel, thus, it can be viewed as the environmentally responsible choice.

If you already have gas installed in your house, or are buying a new dwelling you should consider the likely advantages of switching to gas and natural gas appliances.

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

What is a Gas Appliance?

A natural gas device runs on gas as the dominant power source. Gas home appliances offer a great alternative for electrically powered devices.

Generally you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a gas furnace can still be used even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a natural gas tumble dryer still relies upon electrical components.

Examples of Natural Gas Home Appliances

Gas is not just for heating.

Proving Heat

Providing heat with gas is usually less expensive than heating using electrical heaters. Your expenditure could be cut in half subject to your fuel tariffs and relative efficiency gains.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.

A Fireplace

Aside from keeping your home warm gas is great for having a fire in your home. With a natural gas fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and plenty of warmth without the fuss.

Air Conditioning

Gas air conditioning can offer an efficient means to keep your home cool.

Natural gas air conditioning are often a higher price initially but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning lower prices in the long term. Higher effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Water Heaters

There are two styles of gas water boilers, on demand and tank. Gas heaters are more rapid and more productive than electric water heaters. Tankless heaters also provide a continuous supply.

The fact that gas lines are usually hidden and guarded from the elements means you can still have hot water even when there’s a power outage.

Preparing Food

Everyone has come across the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line designed to link gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the origin the saying is still around because it is valid. Most chefs choose gas for the ease with which you can control the heat, and natural gas ranges also offer a much more efficient way of converting energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You might not instantly think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, natural gas tumble dryers are a great choice. They dry clothes at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Living

Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, gas is a popular choice for lighting and cooking and even to heat your pool.

Wow your guests before they even reach the front door with driveway lights, keep them cosy even when the temperature drops and get dinner ready outside, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as quickly as an electric equivalent. And natural gas patio heaters give ambiance as well as giving heat for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Pros of Gas Home Appliances

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

Gas is generally less expensive than electricity thus lowering your annual power bills.
Gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an environmentally responsible option as it is viewed as the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Natural gas lines are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to heat water even if you get a power outage.

Cons of Gas Appliances

Gas devices tend to have a higher initial cost. Both the value of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be higher.
Having a gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The price will vary depending on a number of factors.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also require a big outlay.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas appliances are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Should You Choose Natural Gas?

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

Currently natural gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the price is your main motivation this can be a big part of the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing 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 benefit of natural gas is stability of supply. If power outages are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during outages can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, the sustainability credentials of natural gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical home appliances. Installing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.