Gas Appliances

Looking at gas home appliances may be a way to reduce your bills while seeing gains in comfort, convenience and efficiency.

Shale gas abundant in the United States resulting in low, stable prices per unit, and natural gas is considered the least polluting non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be seen as the most eco-friendly choice.

If you already have natural gas installed at home, or are buying a new house you might think about the possible benefits of switching to natural gas and gas home appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances below from Anytime Ann Arbor Appliance Repair:

What are Gas Appliances?

A natural gas home appliance runs on natural gas as the primary power source. These appliances are a great substitute to electrical goods for heating your house, heating water, heating your food and even cooling your home and tumble drying.

Generally you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The quantity electricity used depends on how the appliance works. E.g, a gas water heater will produce hot water even if the electricity cuts out, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still requires electricity.

A List of Home Appliances That Run On Natural Gas.

Gas could have a great many uses in your home.

Heating

Providing heat with natural gas is usually less expensive than keeping warm with electricity. Your costs could be cut in half depending on your energy costs and efficiency.

Gas provides higher air temperatures and offers better reliability.This is due to gas lines being less exposed to the elements than power lines.

Fireplaces

Aside from general 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 gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and a warm home without the hassle.

Keeping Cool

Natural gas can be an effective means to keep your home cool, even if there is a power cut.

Natural gas air conditioning are often a higher price to install but is better value on an ongoing basis meaning a better return on your investment. Higher performance has the added benefit of reducing your C02 emissions.

Hot Water

Natural gas water heaters come in two main designs, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Gas heaters are faster and more efficient than their electric alternatives. On-demand water heaters also give a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that gas lines are almost always hidden and protected from the elements means you will still have heating even if there’s a power outage.

Cooking Food

We’ve all come across the phrase “cooking with gas”. A great advertising line designed to link natural gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the phrase is still around because it is accurate. The majority of chefs and home cooks choose gas for the ease with which you can control the size of the flame, and gas ranges provide a much more efficient way of converting energy into heat.

Dryers

Natural gas might not be the first place your mind goes when it comes to laundry, however, natural gas dryers are a great choice. They dry clothes a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in a shorter time.

Outdoor Entertaining

Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside, natural gas is often used for patio lights and cooking and can even be used to heat your spa.

delight your guests before they even get out of the car with outdoor lights, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get food cooked outside, whenever you are ready, and without the having to go to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as rapidly as an electric heater. And gas patio heaters give ambiance as well as giving comfort for the best indoor-outdoor living.

Pros of Gas Appliances

As in all things there are pros and cons to gas home appliances. First up the pros.

Choosing natural gas will save you money on your energy bills.
Gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them better for your wallet and for the environment.
Natural gas is an eco-friendly selection as it is viewed as the least polluting of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less C02 than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can still heat your home even if you get a power outage.At worst you might need to find a match.

Disadvantages of Gas Home Appliances

Gas appliances tend to have a higher initial outlay. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be more.
Having a natural 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, so it is worth talking to your supplier before deciding.
Having a gas line moved or extended can also cost a considerable amount so this should be added to any cost benefit analysis.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas devices are not installed correctly or regularly maintained. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is non-negotiable is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

Making the choice between gas and electricity is not easy and the right choice for you probably won’t be the optimal choice for everyone.

If your main driver is cost gas is for the time being the lower priced fuel. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, converting 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 key advantage of natural gas is that you are less likely to get interruptions in supply. If power outages are common in your area then having appliances that continue to work during power cuts can be a huge benefit.

Finally, in environmental terms, while gas appliances are generally more efficient you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical goods. Installing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be a better investment and more environmentally responsible options in the long run.