If you want to reduce your carbon footprint at home as much as possible, replacing gas with electrical appliances can offer several benefits.
You can switch from gas ovens and cooktops, hot water units and other everyday appliances to electric installations to create a more environmentally-friendly household.
That said, you may have a few questions when deciding which option to choose. Which is cheaper, and which is safer, for instance? Are there significant cost differences between electrical equipment and gas appliances, and does one require more upfront investment than the other?
Let’s look deeper at these and other issues to help you decide whether to install electrical.
Electrical Appliance Installation Process
Debate still rages over whether gas appliances are better than electrical equipment, as each has its pros and cons. There are several factors to consider, and your current scenario will also influence your decision. For example, it’s much cheaper to instal electrical appliances in a new home than it is to convert to electricity if you’re moving into a house with existing gas installations.
The Benefits of Professional Electrical Appliance Installation
Running appliances with natural gas is usually cheaper than using electricity. Reduced costs make gas the natural choice if you want to save costs when operating your appliances.
However, gas appliances are typically more expensive to purchase and instal, so your initial outlay will be higher. When evaluating which option is better for you, you need to factor this into your long-term costs.
Set-up costs for electrical appliances are usually lower than those for gas. Most houses are already connected to an electrical grid, so you can simply plug in your devices. On the other hand, gas requires a municipal gas pipe connected directly to your home, which can be costly if this still needs to be implemented.
The Cost of Electrical Appliance Installation
Gas appliances intrinsically present more safety hazards than electrical ones. For one, they use an open flame, with the attendant risks that fire presents. A gas appliance can inadvertently be knocked over and set something else alight, like kitchen curtains.
The gas is poisonous and highly flammable, creating a two-fold risk. It cannot safely be inhaled other than in small quantities, so these appliances should only be used in well-ventilated areas of your house to prevent a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide. It’s a good idea to instal a detection alarm as an extra layer of safety.
Also, natural gas is highly flammable, so any leaks will not only be toxic – there’s also a real potential risk of a severe fire or explosion. Thus, gas appliances must be regularly checked and maintained to prevent leakage that could prove catastrophic.
Electrical appliances don’t create these types of risks. They carry the danger of not being appropriately wired and can malfunction if not properly integrated with your home’s electricity supply. Electrical connection design is a very important consideration.
For these reasons, electrical equipment is typically safer to use in your home than gas appliances.
The Importance of Electrical Safety
Considering costs and safety issues, what else do you need to factor into your decision to use gas or electrical installations?
- Convenience
Electrical appliances are easier to use in a typical modern home. They are easy to integrate with the electrical system, and off you go. You won’t need any kind of set-up beyond that. You won’t have to put as much effort into the regular maintenance that a gas system requires.
- Eco-friendliness
Given that we’re all being encouraged to reduce our electrical power usage to combat global warming, claiming that electricity is more eco-friendly may sound counterintuitive. However, electrical appliances don’t give off any significant carbon emissions in and of themselves. Using natural gas emits carbon monoxide, which is more harmful to the environment. What’s more, gas is itself a limited natural resource. The key lies in how the electricity is produced rather than consumed. This is beyond your control, but using electricity in your home can benefit the environment. - More efficient energy use
Many electrical appliances use energy more efficiently than those running on gas. While it’s true that a gas stovetop will heat a pot of water faster than an electric plate, other electrical devices like hot water units (geysers) are more efficient at heating and do so more evenly.
How to Install Electrical Appliances
You’re better off leaving it to professionals when installing major electrical equipment like stoves and hot water units. They will know the electrical systems installation and configuration best practices required, as this phase carries the risk of electrocution. Furthermore, faults can produce electrical fires if the wiring is incorrectly done.
Contact us for Installation of Electrical Appliances
Whether you want to install electrical appliances from scratch in your new home or convert from gas to electricity, contact us for professional, safe and cost-effective electrical appliance installation. We’ll discuss your needs with you and provide an optimal solution.