subject: Natural Gas Appliances Rise In Reputation [print this page] Innovations in resourcefulness for gas powered home heating and cooling and gas powered appliances in recent years have increased the number of consumers choosing to utilize natural gas for their home needs.
Appliances run by natural gas, like space and garage furnaces, dryers, pool and Jacuzzi furnaces, barbecues and fireplaces are also becoming increasingly popular. Gas ranges for cooking offer simple, quick heat and temperature control for half the expense of using an electric range. These commodities are generally more expensive than their electrical counterparts, but they make up for it in the long run by lasting longer and saving money. These appliances can also be run from the same pipes as a gas furnace without affecting the functioning of either one.
Using natural gas for home heating and cooling is not a new concept, but modern units are highly efficient and don't need much regular maintenance. They tend to be a bit more costly than a similar electric unit, but they make up for it by using less electricity and lasting years longer.
Both furnaces, air conditioning units and appliances still require electricity to fully operate. This is where the innovation of fuel cells comes in. Natural gas and oil are both fossil fuels and can both be used to generate electricity. Unlike combustion which is used in oil to produce electricity, gas powered fuel cells use electrochemical reactions to create electricity; its only byproducts are heat and water. They are incredibly efficient, using far less fuel to create the same amount of electricity as traditional methods. Fuel cells produce clean energy with low emissions. They are small and can be easily positioned in a variety of places and settings where energy is needed the most.
Natural gas is well known for its safety, resourcefulness and minimal environmental impact and ongoing research demonstrates that there are still many untapped uses for gas, making it a versatile, effective and valuable resource.
