Gas Appliances

Looking at natural gas devices could be a good option to reduce your bills at the same time as seeing higher levels of comfort and efficiency.

There is a plentiful supply of gas in the United States resulting in low, stable equivalent prices, and gas is considered the cleanest non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be regarded as the most eco-friendly option.

If you already have a gas line in your house, or are completing a new dwelling you might consider the probable advantages of switching to gas and natural gas home appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances here from PTX Pasadena Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Home Appliances?

A gas device employs natural gas as the primary power source. Natural gas goods are a practicable alternative to electrically powered goods.

In most cases natural gas devices nevertheless require an electrical outlet but use gas as the main source of power. The amount of electricity used depends on the type of appliance. For example, a gas boiler will still work even during a power cut, whereas a gas tumble dryer still needs electrical components to make the drum turn.

Examples of Gas Appliances

Natural gas could have any number of uses in your house.

Proving Heat

Heating your home with gas generally costs less than heating using electricity. The difference can be as much as 50% subject to your energy prices and efficiency.

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 heating gas is great for a fireplace.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a gas fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and a warm home without the mess.

Cooling Your Home

Gas can be an efficient method to keep cool.

Gas fueled air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning lower prices in the long term. Higher efficiency has the added upside of reducing your C02 emissions.

Water Heating

Natural gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are quicker and more efficient than their electric alternatives. On-demand water heaters also provide a continuous supply. Invaluable if you have a big household that appreciates long showers.

The fact that gas lines are generally dug into the ground and protected from the weather ensures you can still have heating even if you don’t have electricity.

Cooking

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

Regardless of the origin the phrase stuck because it is accurate. The majority of chefs choose gas for the fact that they can control the heat, and gas ranges also offer a more cost effective way of turning fuel into heat.

Dryers

You may not instantly think of using gas to dry your clothes, however, gas dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers operate at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time.

Outdoor Living

Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? Outside the home, natural gas is a great power source for patio lights and food prep and even to heat your spa.

Impress your guests before they even reach the front door with path lighting, keep them warm on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside at the perfect temperature, 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 heat the water twice as quickly as an electric heater. And natural gas fire pits set the mood as well as offering warmth for luxurious outside living.

Pros of Gas Home Appliances

With any decision you make it makes sense to investigate the pros and the cons. First up the benefits of choosing Natural Gas.

Choosing natural gas will reduce your utility bills.
Natural gas home appliances tend to use less energy making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the planet.
Gas is an environmentally responsible choice as it is considered the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
Gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can still heat water even if you get a power outage.

Cons of Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas home appliances generally are subject to a higher initial investment. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be greater for a natural gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
Having a natural gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your provider before making any decisions.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also cost a considerable amount.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas home appliances are not properly installed or not maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

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

Currently gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the cost is your main motivation this can be a major factor in the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, retrospectively installing gas is expensive. Therefore, getting a quote for installing a gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.

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

Lastly, in environmental terms, while gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical devices. Opting for renewable energy may turn out to be less expensive and more eco-friendly options in the long run.