Gas Appliances

Looking at switching to natural gas devices might be a good option to lower expenditures while experiencing higher levels of ease, efficiency and performance.

Natural gas easy to extract in the United States meaning that prices are low and stable, and gas is looked upon as the least polluting fossil fuel, thus, it can be seen as the greener choice.

If you already have a gas line in your home, or are completing a new home you should look at the probable advantages of switching to natural gas and gas household appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances here from Rhodes Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Home Appliance?

A natural gas device makes use of natural gas as the main fuel source. Gas devices offer a practicable substitute for electrical devices.

Generally you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas heater can still be used even if the power goes out, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still needs electricity to make the drum turn.

Different Natural Gas Appliances

Natural gas isn’t just for cooking.

Keeping You Warm

Heating your home with natural gas typically costs less than heating with electricity. The reduction can be as much as 50% subject to your energy tariffs and relative efficiency gains.

Gas heats the air in less time and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.

An Indoor Fire

Apart from heating gas is perfect for a fireplace. With a natural gas fire, you still get real flames and a warm home without the hassle.

Cooling

Gas air conditioners can offer an adept means to cool your home.

Gas fueled air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning cost savings in the long term. Higher effectiveness has the added positive impact of lowering your C02 emissions.

Water Heaters

There are two types of gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Gas heaters are faster and more efficient than their electric alternatives. Tankless heaters also provide a continuous supply. Handy if you have a big family that indulges in long showers.

The fact that natural gas lines are usually dug into the ground and protected from the elements means you will still have heating even if there’s a power outage.

Cooking Food

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

Regardless of the origin the saying is still around because it is true. The majority of chefs and amature cooks choose natural gas for the ability to vary the temperature, and natural gas ranges also offer a more cost effective way of converting fuel into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You might not instantly think of using natural gas to dry your clothes, however, natural gas clothes dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers work at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Entertaining

Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. When it comes to outdoor entertaining, natural gas is a popular choice for patio lights and outdoor cooking and can even be used to heat your pool.

delight your guests as soon as they arrive with path lights, keep them warm even when the temperature falls and get a meal prepared outside, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as quickly as an electric heater. And natural gas fire pits provide ambiance as well as offering comfort for luxurious indoor-outdoor living.

Advantages of Gas Home Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas appliances. First up the pros.

Choosing gas will reduce your energy bills.
Natural gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Gas is an ecologically sound choice as it is viewed as the least polluting of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less carbon dioxide 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 continue to heat water even if the power goes out.

Cons of Natural Gas Appliances

Gas devices tend to have a higher initial outlay. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be greater.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors.
Having a gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount so this should be added to any cost comparisons.
Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

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

If your main driver is cost gas is for the time being the least expensive fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, switching to gas is expensive. Therefore, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.

Another key advantage of natural gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power cuts happen often in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power failures can be a big plus.

Lastly, in environmental terms, while natural gas home appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical goods. Installing renewable energy could be less expensive and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.