Looking at switching to gas devices might be an option to reduce your bills while seeing increases in ease, efficiency and performance.
There is a high supply of natural gas in the US meaning that equivalent prices are low and stable, and natural gas is considered the cleanest non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be regarded as the least environmentally damaging option.
If you already have a gas line at home, or are buying a new home you should think about the likely gains of using more natural gas and natural gas home appliances. Find more information about gas appliances below from Santa Maria Appliance Repair:
What is a Gas Appliance?
A gas home appliance uses gas as the dominant fuel source. Gas goods are a workable substitute for electrical devices for heating your home, heating water, heating food and even air conditioning and laundry.
In many instances natural gas devices still require an electricity supply but use natural gas as the main source of power. The quantity electric used depends on the type of appliance. E.g, a gas furnace can still be used even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a gas tumble dryer still relies upon electricity to make the drum turn.
Examples of Gas Appliances
Gas could have any number of purposes in your house.
Proving Heat
Heating your home with natural gas is typically less expensive than providing heat using electricity. Your outgoings could halve subject to your fuel prices and relative efficiency gains.
Gas heats the air faster and offers better reliability.
Fireplaces
As well as heating natural gas is ideal for a fireplace.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the mess.
Air Conditioning
Natural gas can be an adept method to keep cool.
Gas powered air conditioning are often more costly to install but is more cost effective on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Higher efficiency has the added positive impact of reducing your C02 emissions.
Water Heating
There are two types of gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Natural gas heaters are faster and more productive than their electric alternatives. Tankless water heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand. Invaluable if you have a big family that indulges in long showers.
The fact that natural gas lines are almost always underground and protected from the elements means you still have the ability to shower even if there’s a power outage.
Preparing Food
We’ve all encountered the saying “cooking with gas”. A great advertising line conceived to link the use of natural gas to effectiveness and efficiency.
Clever marketing or not the phrase is still around because it is valid. The majority of chefs and home cooks choose gas for the ability to vary the temperature, and gas hobs also offer a much more efficient way of converting fuel into heat.
Clothes Dryers
You might not instantly think of using gas to dry your clothes, however, natural gas dryers have many advantages. Gas Dryers heat the air at a higher temperature thus drying clothes in less time.
Outdoor Entertaining
Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, gas is often used for lighting and cooking and even to heat your spa.
Impress guests before they even reach the front door with path lighting, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get food cooked outside at the perfect temperature, when you like, and without the having to go to fill up your propane bottles.
Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as quickly as an electric heater. And gas fire pits set the mood as well as offering warmth for luxurious indoor-outdoor entertaining.
Pros of Natural Gas Appliances
With any decision you make it makes sense to look at the pros and the cons. Here are some of the pros.
- Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity thus lowering your annual utility costs.
- Natural gas home appliances tend to use less energy making them financially and environmentally viable.
- Gas is an ecologically sound choice as it is viewed as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, with emissions of around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less carbon dioxide than coal.
- Gas lines are less exposed to the elements making supply more reliable. This means you can still heat water even if there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.
Negatives of Natural gas Home Appliances
- Natural gas appliances usually are subject to a higher initial investment. Both the price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be more.
- Installing a new gas line can be costly. The amount will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your energy company before deciding.
- Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also require a big outlay so this should always be included in any cost comparisons.
- Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas devices are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.
Should You Choose Gas?
Making the decision between gas and electricity is not easy and the best choice for you may not be the optimal decision for everyone.
Currently natural gas is almost always cheaper than electricity, so if the cost 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 natural gas, switching to natural gas is expensive. Thus, 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 natural gas is stability of supply. If power cuts are common where you live then having appliances that continue to work during power cuts can be a huge benefit.
Finally, in environmental terms, while gas devices are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical goods. Choosing renewable energy could be less expensive and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.