Forced Air Furnace

Forced-air furnaces are the most common type of central heating system used in homes. This system has many advantages, including its ability to:

• provide heat quickly
• filter and humidify household air
• provide ventilation and accommodate central air conditioning

But, if your furnace is more than 10 years old, it's likely only about 55% efficient. This means you're losing 45 cents of every heating dollar you spend. Compare this to state-of-the-art high-efficiency furnaces — they're up to 96% efficient.

Hot Water Boiler

Hot water boilers (also known as hydronic heating systems) systems are commonly found in older homes. They use a boiler to heat water which is then circulated throughout your home to room radiators, before returning to the boiler to be reheated.

Water Heaters

Ask the dealer for the water heater's "first hour rating," which is a measure of the appliance's ability to provide a satisfactory supply of hot water. Don't buy a larger water heater than you need because, in fact, the greater surface area of larger tanks increases heat loss. Two types of venting systems for water heaters are now available: Conventional venting uses a vertical passageway to convey flue gases from your water heater to the outside atmosphere — usually through a chimney or existing vent. Horizontal venting feeds directly from the water heater through the wall and allows more flexibility in installation.

Natural Gas Ranges

Most professional chefs prefer to cook with natural gas thanks to its even heat distribution, easy temperature control and instant on/off settings. Natural gas ranges, ovens, cooktops and grills come in a variety of styles. And they are highly efficient, reliable and easy to clean.

Clothes Dryers

A natural gas clothes dryer will dry approximately two loads of clothes for the same energy cost it takes to dry one load electrically. Clothes come out fluffier and with less static cling. If you do a lot of laundry, you may want a larger drum to allow for larger loads. However, a smaller appliance may provide better heating and tumbling action. An improperly sized dryer can also cause excess wrinkling and wasted energy.

Natural Gas Grills

Natural gas grills occupy a small but growing niche in the residential appliance market. Everyone from gourmet cooks to people who like to grill hot dogs, chicken and hamburgers enjoy being spoiled by a natural gas barbecue, which receives natural gas from a small pipe, just like other appliances. Natural gas grills are convenient, safe, fast and easy to use.

Natural gas grills complement today’s busy lifestyles by eliminating the long warm-up times associated with charcoal. Unlike propane tanks, which need to be refilled, the natural gas supply is unlimited because it taps directly into the home’s natural gas supply. There is also more flexibility thanks to more precise control of temperature than with charcoal. Natural gas grills can take as few as six minutes to reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking on a natural gas grill reduces heat in the kitchen, which puts less demand on air conditioning during warm months.

Installation options suit everyone’s lifestyle and pocketbook. Natural gas grills can be mounted on a permanent post, built into a brick or other surround or affixed to a cart with a quick-disconnect that enables the grill to be moved out of the way when not in use.

Patio Heaters

Natural gas patio heaters, popular at many outdoor restaurants, defy weather by extending the enjoyment of outdoor living and dining on patios, swimming pool decks and hot tub/spa areas. Natural gas patio heaters are mushroom-shaped or umbrella-shaped units that radiate heat downward to warm a 12- to 20- foot area. They are most effective when the outdoor temperatures are between 50 and 70 degrees. Patio heaters can be located almost anywhere with post mount, suspension and portable models available.

Firepits

Natural gas firepits provide the atmosphere of a cozy campfire – in a city or suburb. These units are easy to install, and provide year-round outdoor entertainment. They are also better for the environment because they do not burn wood, which emits soot into the air. Natural gas firepits have high-input burners that provide instant heat to the surrounding area. They are safe to install and operate on a wooden deck because there are no glowing embers. Simple to turn on and off, they give the warmth and atmosphere of a campfire, with the convenience of cleaner burning natural gas.

Fireplaces

Garage Heaters

A natural gas garage heater can make routine car maintenance or weekend projects more comfortable during cold weather months. They are wall-mounted, with a thermostat control or manual heat level selector controls the heat output. A single unit is able to warm up to 550 square feet (equivalent to a 2 to 2 ½ car garage). Fuel for the unit comes from the natural gas supply for the home. Models come in two designs: a “blue flame” design that warms the air in the garage, and infrared, which warms the floor and objects before indirectly heating the surrounding air.

Snow Melt Systems

Tired of aches and pains from shoveling snow? With a natural gas-fired snow-melting system, homeowners or multi-family building owners can keep sidewalks and driveways clear – even when snow is falling at the rate of an inch per hour.

Builders in cold-weather communities can encourage prospective buyers to be the envy of the neighborhood when snow falls by installing under sidewalks and driveways the same type of radiant natural gas heating systems that keeps snow and ice from professional football stadium turf (including Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI, and FedEx Field near Washington, D.C.).

Installation

You'll need to find a licensed Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) contractor to install your new natural gas appliances. Please refer to your local yellow pages for licensed contractors.

Page updated: Monday December 10, 2007