Looking at gas home appliances can be a way to lower your bills while achieving greater levels of convenience and efficiency.
Natural gas is plentiful in the US, which means prices are low and stable, and natural gas is considered the cleanest fossil fuel, so it can be considered the least harmful option for the environment.
If you already have natural gas installed in your home or are completing a new home, you can think about the likely gains that will come from using more gas and natural gas appliances.
Read more about gas appliances below from Golden State Appliance Service:
What are Gas Home Appliances?
A natural gas appliance uses natural gas as its primary energy source. Natural gas appliances are a great alternative to household appliances.
In most cases, gas appliances still require an outlet but use gas as the primary fuel. The amount of electricity required varies from appliance to appliance. For example, a natural gas stove will continue to function even if the power goes out, while a gas dryer still relies on electrical components to spin the drum.
A List of Appliances That Operate Using Natural Gas.
Gas could have a great many uses in your house.
Heating
Providing heat with natural gas is usually less expensive than keeping warm using electrical heaters. Your costs could be cut in half subject to your fuel costs and relative efficiency gains.
Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and offers better reliability. This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.
A Fireplace
Aside from heating 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 fireplace, you still get all the ambiance and a focal point without the fuss.
Air Conditioning
Gas air conditioning can be an adept 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. Better performance has the added positive impact of lowering your C02 emissions.
Water Heating
Gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are faster and more productive than electric water heaters. On-demand water heaters ensure a continuous supply even when demand is high.
The fact that natural gas pipelines almost always run underground and are protected from the weather means that you have the option of washing even in the event of a power failure.
Preparing Food
Everyone knows the saying “cooking with gas”. Gas company marketing line created to associate natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Regardless of origin, the saying has stuck because it is true. Many cooks choose gas because they can easily control the temperature, and natural gas ranges also offer a less expensive way to convert energy into heat.
Dryers
Natural gas might not be the immediate place your mind goes when it comes to drying clothes, however, gas dryers can be an excellent choice. They heat the air a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Outdoor Living
Did you know that you don’t have to use only natural gas in your home? Gas is often used for outdoor lighting and cooking as well, and can even be used to heat your spa.
Impress your guests before they even reach the front door with lights along the way, keep them comfortable even when the temperature dips, and cook outside whenever you want and without having to think about it to fill up your gas cylinders.
Like domestic heaters, a pool or spa heater heats water twice as fast as an electric heater. And outdoor gas heaters provide ambience and warmth for perfect outdoor entertainment.
Advantages of Gas Home Appliances
With any decision you make it makes sense to weight up the pros and the cons. First up the pros.
- Natural gas is generally less expensive than electricity saving you money on your annual energy bills.
- Natural gas devices tend to be more efficient making them a more sustainable choice for your wallet and for the environment.
- Natural gas is an ecologically sound option as it is considered the least polluting of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
- Natural gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to heat your home even if the power goes out.At worst you might need to find a match.
Disadvantages of Natural Gas Home Appliances
- Gas home appliances usually require a higher initial cost. Both the cost of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be more.
- Having a gas line installed can be expensive. The price will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
- Moving or extending a gas line can also be expensive.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas devices are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.
Should You Choose Gas?
Switching between gas and electric isn’t always easy, and the best option for you may not be the best decision for everyone.
If your main driver is cost, gas is by far the cheapest fuel. Although studies show that three quarters of new home buyers choose gas, there is a cost involved in switching to gas. So finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t already have one is a good start.
Another key advantage of gas is the reduced likelihood of supply disruptions. If your area experiences frequent power outages, it can be a great benefit to have appliances that continue to function during the power outage.
Finally, the environmental impact of gas can be relatively short-term as it cannot be powered by renewable sources like household appliances. Choosing renewable energy could be a cheaper and greener option in the long run.