Thinking about switching to natural gas devices could be an option to lower expenditures while experiencing gains in ease, efficiency and performance.
Natural gas is in plentiful supply in the US resulting in low, stable equivalent prices, and natural gas is relatively the cleanest non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be seen as the least environmentally damaging choice.
If you already have gas installed in your home, or are buying a new dwelling you might consider the potential advantages of gas home appliances and gas appliances. Read more about gas appliances here from Delta Des Moines Appliance Repair:
What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?
A gas appliance runs on gas as the main power source. These devices offer a viable alternative to electrically powered devices for heating your house, 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 gas as the primary fuel. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas stove can still be used even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a natural gas tumble dryer still needs electrical components to make the drum turn.
A List of Devices That Use Natural Gas
Natural gas could have any number of purposes in your home.
Proving Heat
Providing heat with natural gas generally costs less than heating your home using electrical heaters. Your expenditure could halve depending on your energy costs and efficiency.
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.
Fireplaces
Apart from heating natural gas is perfect for having a fire in your home.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the hassle.
Keeping Cool
Natural gas air conditioners can be an adept method to keep cool, even if there is a power cut.
Gas air conditioning could be more costly to begin with but is cheaper on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Better performance also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.
Hot Water
Gas water heaters come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are more rapid and more efficient than their electric substitutes. On-demand heaters also offer a continuous supply.
The fact that gas lines are generally underground and sheltered from the elements means you can still have heating even when you don’t have electricity.
Cooking Food
Everyone has heard the phrase “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line created to link the use of gas with effectiveness and efficiency.
Regardless of the origin the saying has stuck around because it is valid. A great many chefs and home cooks choose gas for the ability to vary the temperature, and gas stoves provide a much more efficient way of converting energy into heat.
Tumble Dryers
You might not instantly think of using natural gas to dry your clothes, however, gas dryers can be an excellent choice. Gas Dryers operate a few degrees hotter thus clothes dry in a shorter time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.
Outdoor Entertaining
Did you know you don’t just have to use gas inside your home? Outside, natural gas is a popular choice for lighting and cooking and even to heat your pool.
Wow friends before they even get out of the car with outdoor lights, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get dinner ready outside, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your gas bottles.
Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And gas fire pits set the mood as well as offering heat for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.
Pros of Natural Gas Appliances
With any decision you make it’s best look at the pros and the cons. Here are some of the advantages of choosing Natural Gas.
- Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual power bills.
- Gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them a better choice for your wallet and for the planet.
- Natural gas is an eco-friendly selection as it is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Natural gas lines are generally run underground making supply more reliable. This means you can still cool your home even if you get a power outage.
Negatives of Gas Home Appliances
- Gas devices tend to have a higher initial investment. Both the price of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be more.
- Having a gas line installed if you don’t already have one can be costly. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home.
- Moving or extending a natural gas line can also require a big outlay so this should be added to any cost benefit analysis.
- Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if natural gas appliances are not installed correctly or not maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use gas in your home.
Is a Natural Gas Appliance Right for You?
Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not straightforward and the optimal choice for you might not be the best decision for everyone.
Currently gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the price is your main motivation this can be a major factor in the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, switching to natural gas is expensive. Thus, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good first step.
Another key advantage of gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power failures are common in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can be a huge benefit.
Lastly, the eco-friendly credentials of gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical home appliances. Opting for renewable energy could be a better investment and more eco-friendly options in the long run.