Gas Appliances

Looking at switching to natural gas appliances may be a way to save money while seeing increases in comfort and efficiency.

There is a plentiful supply of shale gas in the US meaning that prices are low and stable, and natural gas is considered the least polluting fossil fuel, therefore, it can be seen as the most eco-friendly choice.

If you already have a gas line at home, or are buying a new home you may wish to consider the potential gains of natural gas appliances and gas home appliances.

Read more about gas appliances below from Pierce Appliance Repair:

What is a Natural Gas Home Appliance?

A natural gas appliance makes use of gas as the main power source. Gas devices present a viable substitute for electrically powered home appliances.

In the majority of cases natural gas appliances nevertheless require an electricity supply but use natural gas as the primary source of power. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a natural gas range will still work even when there is a power outage, whereas a gas clothes dryer still needs electrical components to make the drum turn.

Types of Gas Home Appliances

Gas could have any number of purposes in your home.

Proving Heat

Providing heat with natural gas generally costs less than heating using electrical heaters. Your expenditure could be cut in half subject to your fuel prices and efficiency.

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

An Indoor Fire

Apart from heating natural gas is ideal for having a fire in your home. With a natural gas fire, you still get real flames and a focal point without the mess.

Keeping Cool

Natural gas air conditioning can offer an adept way to cool your home, even if there is a power failure.

Natural gas air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning lower prices in the long term. Higher performance has the added benefit of lowering your C02 emissions.

Hot Water

Natural gas water heaters come in two styles, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are quicker and more fuel efficient than electric water heaters. Tankless water heaters also provide a continuous supply.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally dug into the ground and guarded from the weather ensures you will still have heating even when there’s a power outage.

Cooking Food

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

Clever marketing or not the phrase stuck because it is true. Most chefs and amature cooks choose gas for the ability to vary the heat, and natural gas hobs are also a much more efficient way of turning energy into heat.

Clothes Dryers

Gas might not be the immediate place your mind goes when it comes to laundry, however, natural gas clothes dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers dry clothes at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Using Natural Gas Outside

Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? When it comes to outdoor entertaining, gas is a great power source for lighting and cooking and even to heat your spa.

delight guests before they even get out of the car with path lighting, keep them toasty even when the temperature drops and get a meal prepared outside, when you like, and without the having to go to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like indoor heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric heater. And natural gas fire pits set the mood as well as providing heat for the best indoor-outdoor living.

Advantages of Natural Gas Home Appliances

With any decision you make it’s best weight up the pros and the cons. First up the pros.

Gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual utility costs.
Gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Gas is an ecologically sound selection as it is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply more reliable. This means you can continue to heat water even if there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.

Cons of Natural Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas home appliances usually require a higher initial investment. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be greater for a gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be costly. The cost will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your supplier before making any decisions.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also be expensive.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas appliances are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

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

If your main driver is cost gas is at the moment the least expensive option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing natural gas comes at a cost. Thus, finding out how much a new gas line would cost if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.

Another key advantage of gas is stability of supply. If power failures are common where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can count for a lot.

Finally, the eco-friendly credentials of gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical appliances. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly options in the long run.