Considering gas appliances might be a way to save money while seeing increases in ease, efficiency and performance.
There is a plentiful supply of gas in the United States meaning that prices per unit are low and stable, and gas is viewed as the cleanest non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be viewed as the greener option.
If you already have gas installed at home, or are buying a new home you should consider the possible benefits of using more natural gas and gas appliances. Read more about gas appliances below from Las Cruces Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?
A natural gas appliance uses natural gas as the main power source. These appliances present a workable substitute to electrical home appliances.
In general you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The quantity electric used depends on the type of appliance. E.g, a natural gas heater can still be used even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still requires electrical components to make the drum turn.
Examples of Natural Gas Home Appliances
Natural gas has any number of purposes in your house.
Heating
Providing heat with natural gas typically costs less than heating using electrical heaters. The reduction can be as much as 50% subject to your fuel prices and relative efficiency gains.
Gas provides higher air temperatures and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.
An Indoor Fire
As well as general heating natural gas is perfect for having a fire in your home. With a natural gas fire, you still get that open fire feeling and plenty of warmth without the hassle.
Air Conditioning
Gas can be an effective way to keep your home cool.
Natural gas powered air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Superior performance has the added upside of cutting your carbon footprint.
Hot Water
There are two types of natural gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Natural gas heaters are quicker and more fuel efficient than their electric counterparts. On-demand heaters also offer a continuous supply even with high demand.
The fact that gas lines are usually hidden and protected from the elements means you can still have the ability to heat your home even when you don’t have electricity.
Cooking
Everyone has come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great advertising strategy created to link the use of gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is valid. The majority of chefs choose natural gas for the fact that they can control the heat, and gas ranges are also 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 drying clothes, however, natural gas clothes dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers operate a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in a shorter 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 outdoor cooking and even to heat your pool.
Impress guests as soon as they arrive with driveway lighting, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get food cooked outside, whenever you are ready, and without the need to remember to fill up your gas bottles.
Just like domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric heater. And gas outdoor heaters set the mood as well as offering heat for the best outside entertaining.
Advantages of Gas Home Appliances
As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas devices. Here are some of the pros of choosing Natural Gas.
- Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual energy bills.
- Gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Gas is an environmentally responsible option as it is considered the cleanest of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
- Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can still heat water even if there’s no electricity supply.
Cons of Gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas home appliances generally require a higher initial cost. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be higher for a natural gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
- Installing a new gas line can be costly. The cost 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 gas appliances are not installed correctly or not maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.
Should You Choose Gas?
Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not straightforward and the right choice for you probably won’t be the optimal choice for everyone.
If your main driver is cost natural gas is currently the lower priced fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, switching to natural gas is expensive. With this in mind, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good first step.
Another reason to choose gas is reliability of supply. If power outages happen often where you live then having appliances that continue to work during outages can be a big plus.
Finally, in environmental terms, while gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical appliances. Opting for renewable energy may turn out to be less expensive and more eco-friendly options in the long run.