The Top Ten Reasons Homeowners Use Natural Gas

The Top Ten Reasons Homeowners Use Natural Gas

Throughout history, natural gas has held many uses; as an ingredient in the production of common products (paints, fertilizers, plastics, medicines), a fuel for vehicles, and the energy source powering appliances within a home. This nonrenewable resource is made up of carbon and hydrogen and has shown to be a staple in a wide variety of residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

As an energy source, natural gas is recognized as The United States’ most abundant and affordable fuel, making up almost one-fourth of all the energy used nationwide. Compared to other traditional sources, such as coal or oil, it’s plain to see why natural gas demand is on the rise. Continue reading to learn all the ways natural gas remains superior to its competition:
 

• Convenience
  Underground pipelines mean there is no disruption of supply due to storms or power outages. Unlike other heat sources that leave ashes and odors, natural gas will never leave a mess.
   
• Versatility
  Natural gas can do more than heat the home. It can be used for water heating, clothes drying, cooking, and mood-setting fireplaces. It can also be utilized outdoors for barbecuing, gas lighting, and even to heat a swimming pool or hot tub.
   
• Affordability
  Natural gas may save a homeowner money in the long run due to energy costs. For example, natural gas can cost drastically less than electricity to heat a home and the water used and can also be half as expensive as coal or oil. In fact, by heating a home with natural gas instead of non-gas sources, a homeowner could potentially save more than $5,700 on average over a 15 year time period.
   
• Safety
  When used correctly, natural gas is a safe, efficient energy source. To ensure this, the government requires that mercaptan be added to the gas so people can quickly detect leaks, making the gas smell similar to rotten eggs.
   
• Consistent, Reliable Supply
  Because natural gas comes from a pipeline underground, it's always there when you need it and you never have to worry about running out of fuel or arranging for deliveries.
   
• Future Possibilities
  Once a home is connected to natural gas, it's easy to convert appliances or add additional gas products later on. This applies outside for a barbecue, pool heater, and gas lights, in the basement for the water heater and clothes dryer, in the kitchen for the range and/or cooktop, and in the den and living room for the natural gas fireplace.
   
• Environmental Benefits
  While combustion of natural gas does produce carbon dioxide, it produces about 30% less than oil and 45% less than coal. In addition, natural gas doesn't produce ash particles like coal and oil do, which adds to air pollution.
   
• Abundant Domestic Production
  International supply issues will never stand in the way of heating a home. There is a secure supply of natural gas in the U.S., making this fossil fuel easy to reach and more affordable to obtain. It’s estimated that the U.S. has enough natural gas to meet our ever-growing energy needs for the next 100 years.
   
• Easier, More Affordable Maintenance
  It’s a known fact that appliances that use natural gas often have much lower operating costs than non-gas appliances. Clean burning natural gas heating equipment means less maintenance and repairs over the years.
   
• Heats Quicker
  In contrast to other heating fuels such as coal, wood, or oil, the heating process for natural gas is significant. Natural gas has no warm-up time because it heats instantly. When comparing natural gas and electric hot water heaters, a natural gas hot water heater will recover to a completely heated tank 40% faster than an electric hot water tank.
   

While affordable, convenient, and effective, natural gas as an energy source has proven it’s here to stay. In fact, gas appliances even add value to a home, making it a win-win situation for homeowners. If you’re pondering which energy source to fuel your house with, look no further than natural gas!