Gas Appliances

Looking at switching to natural gas devices could be a way to reduce your bills at the same time as seeing higher levels of comfort and efficiency.

Gas easy to extract in the United States resulting in low, stable equivalent prices, and gas is considered the least polluting fossil fuel, therefore, it can be seen as the least environmentally damaging option.

If you already have a gas line in your house, or are completing a new dwelling you should consider the likely gains of choosing natural gas and gas home appliances.

Read more about gas appliances here from IBC Irving Appliance Repair:

What are Natural Gas Home Appliances?

A natural gas appliance makes use of gas as the dominant power source. These devices are a workable substitute for electrically powered home appliances.

In most situations gas appliances nevertheless will need an electrical outlet but use gas as the major fuel. The amount of electricity needed will vary from appliance to appliance. For example, a gas heater will still operate even if the power goes out, whereas a gas tumble dryer still relies upon electrical components to make the drum turn.

Types of Gas Appliances

Natural gas could have a great many purposes in your house.

Proving Heat

Heating your home with gas usually costs less than keeping warm using electricity. The difference can be as much as 50% depending on your energy tariffs and efficiency.

Natural gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and offers better reliability.This is a huge benefit if you if you get power cuts

A Fireplace

Aside from keeping your home warm natural gas is great for a fireplace.Forget the hassle of having to collect or buy logs or clean out the ashes. With a natural gas fire, you still get real flames and a warm home without the fuss.

Air Conditioning

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

Natural gas air conditioning requires a bigger initial investment but is better value to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Better effectiveness also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Hot Water

There are two types of gas water heaters, on demand and tank. Natural gas heaters are faster and more productive than electric water heaters. Tankless heaters also provide a continuous supply even with high demand. Invaluable if you have a big family that indulges in long showers.

The fact that gas lines are usually dug into the ground and sheltered from the weather means you can still have the ability to heat your home even when you don’t have electricity.

Cooking Food

Everyone has encountered the saying “cooking with gas”. A great commercial line conceived to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the saying has stuck around because it is true. Most chefs choose gas for the ease with which you can vary the temperature, and gas hobs provide a more cost effective way of turning energy into heat.

Tumble Dryers

You might not immediately think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, gas tumble dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers dry clothes a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in less time.

Outdoor Living

Did you know you don’t just have to use natural gas inside your home? Outside, natural gas is a popular choice for lighting and food prep and even to heat your spa.

Impress friends as soon as they arrive with driveway lighting, keep them warm even when the temperature falls and get food cooked outside, when you like, and without the need to remember to fill up your gas bottles.

Just like domestic water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as rapidly as an electric heater. And natural gas outdoor heaters set the mood as well as offering heat for the best indoor-outdoor living.

Advantages of Natural Gas Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to gas devices. First up the pros of choosing Natural Gas.

  • Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual utility costs.
  • Gas home appliances tend to use less energy making them better for your wallet and for the environment.
  • Gas is an eco-friendly option as it is viewed as the least environmentally damaging of the fossil fuels, contributing around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
  • Natural gas supplies are generally more reliable and less susceptible to damage or interruption This means you can continue to cook even if the power goes out.

Negatives of Natural gas Appliances

  • Natural gas home appliances generally are subject to a higher initial investment. Both the price of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be higher for a gas appliance when comparing to electrical alternatives.
  • Installing a new gas line can be expensive. The cost will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your supplier before deciding.
  • Moving or extending a gas line can also cost a considerable amount.
  • Safety first! Carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas devices are not properly installed or not maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use natural gas in your home.

Should You Choose Natural Gas?

Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not straightforward and the right choice for you might not be the best decision for everyone.

Currently natural gas is almost always less expensive than electricity, so if the cost is your main driver this can be a big part of the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, converting to natural gas is expensive. 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 benefit of natural gas is reliability of supply. If power failures happen often where you live then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can count for a lot.

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

Additional Types of Appliances

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