Gas Appliances

Looking at switching to gas home appliances may be an option to lower expenditures at the same time as seeing gains in comfort and efficiency.

There is a abundant supply of shale gas in the US meaning that costs are low and stable, and gas is considered to be the cleanest non-renewable energy source, consequently, it can be viewed as the least environmentally damaging alternative.

If you already have natural gas installed in your house, or are completing a new home you might consider the possible gains of natural gas devices and natural gas appliances.

Find more information about gas appliances here from Witt Appliance Repair:

What is a Gas Appliance?

A gas home appliance uses natural gas as the dominant power source. Gas appliances afford a practicable substitute to electrical goods.

Usually you will still need to supply electricity to a gas appliance. The amount of electric used depends on how the appliance works. E.g, a gas water heater will still work even if the power goes out, whereas a gas tumble dryer still requires electrical components.

Types of Gas Home Appliances

Natural gas is not just for cooking.

Proving Heat

Heating your home with gas generally costs less than providing heat using electricity. Your expenditure could be cut in half depending on your energy tariffs and efficiency.

Gas makes the air hotter in a shorter time and is more reliable.This is a big plus if you if you get power cuts

A Fireplace

Apart from heating gas is ideal for having a fire in your home. With a gas fireplace, you still get that open fire feeling and plenty of warmth without the fuss.

Cooling Your Home

Natural gas can offer an efficient way to cool your home.

Natural gas air conditioning requires a higher initial investment but is better value to run and maintain meaning cost savings in the long term. Better performance also has a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Heating Water

Natural gas water heaters come in two forms, tank heaters and non-tank or on-demand heaters. Natural gas heaters are faster and more productive than electric water heaters. Tankless heaters also give a continuous supply.

The fact that natural gas lines are generally dug into the ground and protected from the elements means you can still have heating even when there’s a power outage.

Cooking Food

Everyone has encountered the saying “cooking with gas”. A great advertising strategy designed to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Clever marketing or not the saying stuck because it is accurate. A great many chefs and home cooks choose natural gas for the fact that they can vary the heat, and gas hobs provide a much more efficient way of turning fuel into heat.

Clothes Dryers

You may not instantly think of using natural gas in your laundry room, however, gas tumble dryers can be an excellent choice. They work at a higher temperature thus clothes dry in less time.

Outdoor Entertaining

Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside the home, gas is a popular choice for patio lights and cooking and can even be used to heat your pool.

delight friends before they even get out of the car with path lighting, keep them cosy on cool evenings and get a meal prepared outside at the perfect temperature, whenever you are ready, and without the worry of remembering to fill up your propane bottles.

Just like indoor heaters a pool or spa heater will heat the water twice as fast as an electric equivalent. And natural gas fire pits set the mood as well as giving warmth for luxurious indoor-outdoor living.

Advantages of Natural Gas Home Appliances

As with anything there are pros and cons to gas appliances. Here are some of the benefits of choosing Natural Gas.

Choosing gas will save you money on your utility bills.
Gas appliances tend to be more efficient making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the planet.
Gas is an environmentally responsible option as it is considered the least polluting of the fossil fuels, emitting around 27% less carbon dioxide than oil and 45% less C02 than coal.
Natural gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can continue to heat your home even if there’s no electricity supply.At worst you might need to find a match.

Negatives of Natural gas Appliances

Gas devices usually are subject to a higher initial investment. Both the cost of the appliance and the associated installation costs are likely to be more.
Installing a new gas line can be expensive. The amount will vary depending on how close the nearest supply is to your home, so it is worth talking to your energy company before making any decisions.
Having a natural gas line moved or extended can also be expensive.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be a killer if gas home appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. making sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm is a must is you use natural gas in your home.

Is a Gas Appliance Right for You?

Making the choice between natural gas and electricity is not always simple and the best choice for you might not be the optimal 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 major factor in the decision-making process. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have natural gas, retrospectively installing 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 key advantage of gas is stability of supply. If power outages are common in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during power failures can be a huge benefit.

Lastly, the environmental credentials of natural gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources in the same way you can electrical goods. Opting for solar panels or a heat pump could be more cost-effective and more eco-friendly options in the long run.