Thinking about switching to gas appliances may be a way to lower expenditures while experiencing higher levels of performance and productivity.
There is a plentiful supply of gas in the US meaning that prices per unit are low and stable, and shale gas is considered to be the cleanest fossil fuel, thus, it can be viewed as the environmentally responsible option.
If you already have natural gas installed at home, or are buying a new home you may wish to think about the potential gains of using more gas and natural gas home appliances. Learn more about gas appliances here from Elite Honolulu Appliance Repair:
What are Gas Appliances?
A gas appliance employs gas as the dominant power source. Natural gas devices afford a workable alternative for electrical appliances for heating your living space, heating water, heating food and even cooling your home and tumble drying.
In the majority of instances natural gas devices still require an electricity supply but use natural gas as the major fuel. The amount of electricity used depends on how the appliance works. For example, a natural gas boiler will produce hot water even if the power goes out, whereas a gas dryer still requires electricity to make the drum turn.
Examples of Gas Appliances
Natural gas is not just for cooking.
Heating
Heating your home with natural gas generally costs less than keeping warm with electricity. Your outgoings could be cut in half depending on your energy prices and relative efficiency gains.
Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.
An Indoor Fire
Apart from heating gas is great for a log fire with real flames. With a gas fire, you still get that open fire feeling and a warm home without the hassle.
Cooling
Gas air conditioners can offer an efficient method to cool your home, even if there is a power failure.
Gas air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Higher efficiency has the added upside of reducing your carbon footprint.
Water Heating
Gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are faster and more productive than their electric counterparts. On-demand water heaters also provide a continuous supply. Invaluable if you have a big family that indulges in long showers.
The fact that natural gas lines are almost always dug into the ground and protected from the elements ensures you can still have the ability to wash even when you don’t have electricity.
Cooking Food
Most people have heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line designed to link natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Regardless of the origin the phrase stuck because it is valid. The majority of chefs choose natural gas for the fact that they can vary the size of the flame, and natural gas hobs provide a less wasteful way of converting fuel into heat.
Tumble Dryers
You might not instantly think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, gas tumble dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers operate at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in a shorter time.
Outdoor Living
Did you know you don’t just have to use natural gas inside your home? Outside the home, gas is a great power source for patio lights and cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.
Wow your guests before they even get out of the car with path lights, keep them toasty on cool evenings and get the food cooking outside, when you like, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your gas bottles.
Just like indoor heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And natural gas patio heaters set the mood as well as providing comfort for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.
Pros of Natural Gas Home Appliances
As with anything there are pros and cons to natural gas home appliances. First up the pros.
- Gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual energy costs.
- Gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Natural gas is an eco-friendly selection as it is considered the least polluting of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less C02 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 continue to cool your home even if the power goes out.At worst you might need to find a match.
Cons of Gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas home appliances usually require a higher initial investment. Both the value of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be higher for a natural gas appliance when looking at next to electrical alternatives.
- Having a gas line installed can be costly. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your supplier before making a final decision.
- Having a gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount so this should always be included in any price analysis.
- Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas home appliances are not installed correctly or not maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use gas in your home.
Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?
Making the change between natural gas and electricity is not easy and the optimal choice for you might not be the optimal choice for everyone.
Currently gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the price is your main motivation this can be a big part of the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, switching to natural gas is expensive. Thus, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t already have one is a good place to start.
Another reason to choose gas is reliability of supply. If power cuts happen often where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power failures can count for a lot.
Lastly, the environmental credentials of gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical appliances. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump could be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.