Gas Appliances

Considering switching to gas home appliances might be a way to reduce your bills at the same time as seeing gains in performance and productivity.

Natural gas abundant in the US meaning that costs are low and stable, and shale gas is looked upon as the least polluting non-renewable energy source, thus, it can be regarded as the least environmentally damaging alternative.

If you already have a gas line at home, or are buying a new house you might consider the likely benefits of using more natural gas and natural gas appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances below from Mayes Appliance Repair:

What are Natural Gas Appliances?

A natural gas device runs on natural gas as the dominant power source. Gas home appliances offer a workable alternative to electrically powered home appliances.

Usually you will still need to plug in a gas appliance. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. E.g, a natural gas water heater will work even when there is a power outage, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still relies upon electrical components to make the drum turn.

Examples of Natural Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas can be used for more than heating.

Keeping You Warm

Keeping yourself warm with gas generally costs less than heating your home using electrical heaters. Your costs could halve depending on your energy prices and relative efficiency gains.

Natural gas heats the air faster and is more reliable.This is a huge benefit if you for winter power outages

A Fireplace

Aside from heating gas is ideal for a log fire with real flames. With a natural gas fire, you still get that open fire feeling and a warm home without the mess.

Air Conditioning

Gas air conditioners can offer an effective way to keep cool.

Natural gas fueled air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is more cost effective to run and maintain meaning savings in the long term. Superior efficiency has the added upside of reducing your carbon footprint.

Heating Water

Gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are quicker and more efficient than their electric substitutes. Tankless heaters also provide a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that gas lines are almost always underground and sheltered from the elements means you will still have heating 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 the use of gas with effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the etiology the saying is still around because it is true. Most chefs and home cooks choose natural gas for the ability to vary the temperature, and gas ranges are also a much more efficient way of converting energy into heat.

Clothes Dryers

Gas might not be the immediate thing you think of when it comes to drying clothes, however, gas dryers can be an excellent choice. Gas Dryers work at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in a shorter time.

Outdoor Entertaining

Did you know you don’t just have to use natural gas inside your home? When it comes to outdoor living, natural gas is a popular choice for lighting and cooking and can even be used to heat your pool.

Wow your guests before they even get out of the car with driveway lighting, keep them toasty even when the temperature falls and get food cooked outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And gas outdoor heaters give ambiance as well as providing warmth for luxurious outside living.

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.

Choosing gas will save you money on your energy bills.
Natural gas home appliances tend to be more efficient making them financially and environmentally viable.
Natural gas is an ecologically sound choice as it is viewed as the least polluting of the fossil fuels, with emissions of 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 water even if there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.

Cons of Natural Gas Home Appliances

Gas home appliances generally have a higher initial outlay. Both the ticket price of the appliance and the cost to install are likely to be greater for a natural gas appliance when looking at next to electrical goods.
Installing a new gas line if you don’t already have one can be costly. The price will vary depending on a number of factors.
Moving or extending a gas line can also be expensive so this should always be added to any cost comparisons.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if natural gas devices are not installed correctly or not maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use gas in your home.

Should You Choose Natural Gas?

Making the decision between gas and electricity is not always simple and the best choice for you may not be the right choice for everyone.

If your main driver is cost gas is at the moment the cheaper option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing 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 key advantage of natural gas is stability of supply. If power cuts are common in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power failures can count for a lot.

Lastly, the sustainability credentials of natural gas may be relatively short term, as you can’t power them from renewable sources in the same way you can electrical goods. Choosing renewable energy could be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly options in the long run.