SELECTING THE RIGHT RANGE FOR YOU Why do three out of four professional chefs and three out of four homeowners prefer cooking with natural gas? CONVENIENCE Natural gas burners and ovens heat quickly, minimizing the time spent waiting for the desired temperature to be reached. TASTE Food prepared on natural gas cooktops and in natural gas ovens taste better because heat is distributed more evenly and the ovens, during baking, add more moisture. Cooking with natural gas is economical and efficient, and can save up to 30 percent each year in energy costs. RELIABILITY Natural gas ranges have an average life span of 15 to 17 years, the longest of any home appliance, and can be used to prepare hot meals even if there is a power outage. No matter your cooking needs or the size or décor of your kitchen, you can find a natural gas range that is right for you. The most common range type is a single freestanding unit with four burners on top and an oven below. There also are models that slide between cabinets and drop-in models that are installed inside base cabinets. Ovens and cooktops also come as separate units. If you have specific cooking needs, you may be interested in models that include such options as six burners, built-in griddles or grills, burners with outputs that are higher or lower than standard outputs, double ovens, low-temperature ovens for thawing and warming food, continuous- or self-cleaning ovens, or rotisserie attachments. Reasons for cooking with natural gas Natural gas ranges are less expensive to operate. Natural gas ranges maintain temperatures better. Food cooks faster and tastes better. Heat is distributed more evenly for cooking. Heat can be controlled more precisely by altering flame. Burners cool off faster. Less heat is spread to rest of kitchen.
CHOOSING YOUR HOME SYSTEM HOME When it comes to heating homes, natural gas is efficient, cost-effective and more environmentally-friendly than other fuel sources. Most homeowners select high-efficiency or condensing natural gas furnaces to heat their homes. Furnaces heat air, which then is blown through ductwork to heat homes. For some homeowners, other natural gas heating systems are better suited to meet their needs: A natural gas-fired boiler heats water, then circulates the hot water to heat the house. EFFICIENCY Natural gas furnaces are available with up to 98 percent efficiency. Radiant floor heating warms the floors of a house and the air through tubing installed beneath the surface. A high-efficiency natural gas furnace costs more than 60 percent less to operate than home-heating systems using other fuels. A programmable thermostat can save on energy expenses when used properly to control a home s heating and cooling. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY A natural gas-fired absorption heat pump provides a single solution to both heating a home in the winter and cooling it in the summer. Natural gas is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel available, and emits far less carbon, nitrous oxide and sulfur oxide than other fuel sources. Natural gas space heaters offer an economical way to heat a room without having to turn up a whole-house heating unit. COMFORT A natural gas furnace provides warmer air and heats a home faster than heating systems using other fuel sources. Natural Gas Fireplaces Natural gas fireplaces are a worthwhile addition to any home. They are convenient and clean, create ambience in a room, and come in a variety of styles to match any decor. They also add value - each fireplace in a home increases the home s value, according to the National Association of Realtors.
WATER DECIDING ON A WATER HEATER FOR YOUR HOME WATER Natural gas water heaters minimize the amount of energy and water used. EFFICIENCY High-efficiency, natural gas water heaters use 10 to 40 percent less energy, with hot water provided at up to 96-percent thermal efficiency. WATER SAVINGS A natural gas water heater will minimize the amount of water used for any activity requiring hot water. PERFORMANCE Natural gas water heaters heat water fast. This means that hot water will be available more often and can be used for several different activities at the same time. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY Natural gas is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel available. A natural gas water heater reduces carbon emissions by more than 50 percent and nitrous oxide emissions by more than 75 percent compared to other fuel sources. Traditional water heaters are always on heating and reheating the tank of water, despite the fact that hot water may be used for only a few hours each day. Natural gas tankless water heaters heat water on demand, providing for increased energy efficiency. Tankless water heaters are more than 25 percent more energy efficient and can save a typical household hundreds per year on energy bills. Tankless water heaters also offer several attractive features: The delivery temperature of the water can be set to the specific temperature needed. There is an endless supply of hot water at the desired temperature. They are smaller and take up less space than tank models. Let the sun work for you Save even more on your energy bill with a solar water heater. A solar water heater uses the free energy of the sun to transfer heat from solar panels to water in a storage tank. During periods when the sun isn t shining, a natural gas backup system is used to heat water.
CLOTHES DRYING CONSIDERING THE RIGHT DRYER FOR YOU A clothes dryer, when operating, typically is one of the highest energy users in a home. A high-efficiency natural gas dryer can minimize dryer use and save money. When buying a natural gas dryer, consider models with a moisture sensor and a cool-down or perma-press cycle to increase the savings on your energy bills. A natural gas dryer with a moisture sensor will shut off automatically when it senses the clothes are dry, rather than continuing to run until the time it is set for elapses. This can save up to an additional 15 percent on energy bills. A cool-down or perma-press cycle uses cool air and tumble dries in the last few minutes of the drying process, rather than continuing to use heat. A typical load of laundry costs only 15 to 20 cents to dry using a highefficiency natural gas dryer. TIME SAVINGS CLOTHES DRYING Clothes dry faster in a natural gas dryer, resulting in less time spent doing laundry. Tips for saving energy and money LONGER-LASTING FABRICS Dry full loads. Don t overload the dryer or over-dry clothes. Dry towels and heavier-weight items in separate loads. Dry consecutive loads of laundry to take advantage of the heat remaining in the dryer from the last load. Clean the dryer link trap after every load. Inspect the dryer vent periodically to ensure it s not blocked. Since a natural gas clothes dryer dissipates heat more quickly and accurately monitors moisture levels, it is gentler on fabrics. There is less wear and tear on clothes caused by over-drying. FEWER WRINKLES In a natural gas dryer, clothes aren t over-exposed to heat, which can lead to excessive wrinkling. A natural gas dryer also produces less static energy, which results in fewer problems with static cling.
OUTDOOR LIVING ENHANCING YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE Natural gas outdoor appliances can help expand a home s outdoor living space and provide warmth and comfort that allow the space to be used nearly year-round. A relatively inexpensive way to extend the living area of a home is by making use of the home s outdoor space. Through the addition of natural gas appliances, an outdoor living room can be created for cooking, relaxing and entertaining. A variety of natural gas products are available to enhance an outdoor living room and even allow the space to be used nearly year-round. These include grills, patio heaters, outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, pool and spa heaters, and lighting all of which, when connected to a natural gas line, will feature continuous fuel supply and easy start-up. Natural gas grills eliminate the need to replace propane tanks or charcoal. They provide instant start-up and flame controls to make grilling precise and easy. Natural gas to go Natural gas patio heaters enable outdoor spaces to be used even in chilly weather. They turn on at the push of a button, and can provide warmth for up to a 20-foot radius. Outdoor natural gas convenience outlets provide flexibility in plugging in portable natural gas appliances. They: SETTING OUTDOOR PRODUCTS Natural gas fire pits provide all the enjoyment of a fire without the inconvenience of hauling wood and cleaning up ashes. They emit no smoke, soot or flying embers, and are ideal on wooden decks. Are easy to use. Eliminate the need to carry and replace propane tanks. Work in the same way as outdoor electrical outlets. Include safety features to prevent accidental leaks. Can be used with hoses up to 35 feet in length so appliances can be moved to where you want them. LIGHTING With their flickering flame and soft glow, outdoor natural gas lights can create the ideal setting. They illuminate outdoor living spaces and provide increased safety and security.