Gas Appliances

Considering switching to gas devices may be a way to reduce your bills while experiencing higher levels of comfort, convenience and efficiency.

There is a abundant supply of shale gas in the United States resulting in low, stable costs, and shale gas is considered to be the cleanest fossil fuel, therefore, it can be seen as the most eco-friendly choice.

If you already have a gas line in your house, or are building a new home you should look at the possible advantages of switching to gas and gas home appliances.

Learn more about gas appliances here from P&G Baltimore Appliance Repair:

What is a Natural Gas Appliance?

A gas appliance makes use of natural gas as the primary power source. These home appliances present a practicable alternative to electrically powered goods for heating your house, providing hot water, cooking food and even cooling your home and clothes drying.

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 stove will still operate even if the power goes out, whereas a natural gas clothes dryer still relies upon electricity.

A List of Appliances That Run On Natural Gas.

Gas can have many uses in your house.

Heating

Heating your home with gas is typically less expensive than providing heat using electrical heaters. Your expenditure could halve depending on your fuel tariffs and efficiency.

Gas heats the air more quickly and is more reliable.This is due to gas lines being better protected than power lines.

Fireplaces

Apart from keeping your home warm gas is ideal 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 fire, you still get that open fire feeling and a focal point without the mess.

Cooling

Natural gas air conditioners can be an efficient way to keep cool, even if there is a power cut.

Natural gas fueled air conditioning requires a greater initial investment but is cheaper to run and maintain meaning a better return on your investment. Higher effectiveness has the added benefit of cutting your C02 emissions.

Heating Water

There are two types of natural gas water heaters, non-tank and tank. Gas heaters are quicker and more productive than their electric counterparts. On-demand heaters also provide a continuous supply even with high demand.

The fact that gas lines are usually underground and sheltered from the weather means you still have heating even when you don’t have electricity.

Cooking

We’ve all come across the saying “cooking with gas”. A gas company marketing line conceived to link the use of gas to effectiveness and efficiency.

Regardless of the etiology the phrase is used today because it is accurate. A great many chefs choose natural gas for the ease with which you can control the size of the flame, and gas stoves also offer a more cost effective way of converting fuel into heat.

Tumble Dryers

Natural gas might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to drying clothes, however, natural gas dryers are a great choice. Gas Dryers operate a few degrees hotter thus drying clothes in less time and clothes have to endure less tumbling.

Outdoor Living

Natural Gas doesn’t just have indoor uses. Outside the home, gas is a great power source for lighting and food prep and even to heat your pool.

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

Just like indoor water heaters a pool or spa heater will get up to temperature twice as fast as an electric heater. And natural gas patio heaters set the mood as well as providing warmth for the best indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Advantages of Gas Appliances

With any decision you make it’s best weight up the pros and the cons. First up the pros.

Natural gas is generally cheaper than electricity saving you money on your annual energy costs.
Gas devices tend to use less energy making them more sustainable for your wallet and for the environment.
Natural gas is an eco-friendly choice 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.
Gas lines are generally run underground making supply less likely to get interrupted. This means you can continue to heat your home even if you get a power outage.

Cons of Gas Appliances

Gas devices generally are subject to a higher initial outlay. Both the cost of the appliance and the installation cost are likely to be more for a natural gas appliance when comparing to electrical goods.
Having a natural gas line installed can be costly. The price will vary depending on a number of factors, so it is worth talking to your energy company before making any decisions.
Moving or extending a gas line can also cost a considerable amount.
Safety comes first and carbon monoxide can be an issue if gas appliances are not properly installed or regularly maintained. Having a carbon monoxide alarm is essential is you use gas in your home.

Is a Natural Gas Appliance The Right Choice for You?

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

If your main driver is cost gas is at the moment the lower priced option. However, while studies show that three-quarters of new home buyers are choosing to have gas, retrospectively installing natural gas is expensive. Therefore, getting a quote for installing a natural gas line if you don’t currently have gas appliances is a good place to start.

Another benefit of natural gas is reliability of supply. If power failures happen often in your area then being able to heat water, heat or cool your home and cook during outages can count for a lot.

Lastly, the eco-friendly credentials of natural gas could be considered as relatively short term, as you can’t switch them to renewable sources like you can electrical devices. Choosing solar panels or a heat pump may turn out to be more cost-effective and more sustainable options in the long run.