Gas Appliances

Looking at natural gas appliances may be a way to save money while experiencing higher levels of ease, efficiency and performance.

Natural gas easy to extract in the US meaning that prices are low and stable, and shale gas is considered the least polluting fossil fuel, thus, it can be seen as the most eco-friendly alternative.

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

Find more information about gas appliances below from HOF Highland Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Appliance?

A natural gas device employs natural gas as the primary power source. Natural gas home appliances afford a practicable substitute for electrically powered appliances.

Generally you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a gas stove can still be used even during a power cut, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still relies upon electrical components.

A List of Devices That Use Natural Gas.

Gas could have many purposes in your house.

Heating

Keeping yourself warm with natural gas typically costs less than heating using electricity. Savings can be as high as 50% subject to your energy tariffs and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and offers better reliability.

Fireplaces

As well as keeping your home warm gas is great for having a fire in your home. With a natural gas fire, you still get all the ambiance and a focal point without the fuss.

Keeping Cool

Gas air conditioners can be an efficient means to cool your home.

Gas fueled air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning lower prices in the long term. Higher effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Heating Water

Gas water boilers come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are quicker and more fuel efficient than their electric counterparts. Tankless heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand. Handy if you have a big household that appreciates long showers.

The fact that natural gas lines are almost always hidden and sheltered from the elements means you still have hot water even if there’s a power outage.

Preparing Food

Everyone has come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great marketing strategy designed to link the use of natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase stuck because it is true. Most chefs and home cooks choose gas for the fact that they can vary the heat, and natural gas ranges provide a much more efficient way of converting energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You might not instantly think of using gas in your laundry room, however, natural gas dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers work at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in less time.

Using Gas Outside

You have to restrict your gas use to indoor appliances. When it comes to outdoor entertaining, natural gas is often used for lighting and outdoor cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.

Impress your guests as soon as they arrive with path lights, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get the food cooking outside, whenever you are ready, and without the need to remember 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 outdoor heaters set the mood as well as providing comfort for perfect outside entertaining.

Advantages of Natural Gas Home Appliances

With any decision you make it makes sense to investigate the pros and the cons. Here are some of the pros of choosing Natural Gas.

Gas is generally less expensive than electricity thus lowering your annual power costs.
Natural gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them better for your wallet and for the planet.
Natural gas is an eco-friendly selection as it is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Natural 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.

Cons of Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas appliances usually have a higher initial outlay. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be more.
Installing a new gas line can be expensive. The price will vary depending on a number of factors.
Moving or extending a natural gas line can also require a big outlay.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas devices are not installed correctly or not maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use gas in your home.

Should You Choose Gas?

Making the change between gas and electricity is not always simple and the optimal choice for you might not be the best decision for everyone.

If your main driver is cost gas is currently the lower priced fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, converting to gas comes at a cost. 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 reason to choose gas is stability of supply. If power failures are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during outages can count for a lot.

Finally, in environmental terms, while gas home appliances are generally more efficient you can’t power them from renewable sources like you can electrical appliances. Opting for renewable energy may turn out to be less expensive and more sustainable options in the long run.