Five reasons to opt for natural gas heating!
When it comes to heating, electric systems are currently popular, especially in Quebec, where nearly 92 percent of all homes use this type of equipment. On the other hand, in the West, where natural gas is produced, it’s only logical that gas heating is favored. Used in residential furnaces, dryers, stoves and ovens, gas is certainly a viable option for your home.
Recognized for its affordability, natural gas offers a number of other advantages that could very well convince you to opt for it.
Advantages of natural gas as an energy source
1. Affordability
If you think that natural gas is less expensive than its cousin electricity, you’re right. It’s also far more affordable than heating oil or fuel oil. And once you discover the incomparable value it offers you for your money, you’ll understand why it’s so popular.
2. Reliability
Natural gas can produce non-stop energy, day and night. No more need to panic at the slightest power outage in the middle of winter: the supply of natural gas won’t be interrupted so neither will your comfort.
3. Performance
Gas heating provides gentle, pleasant warmth without drying the air. Why is it definitely the appropriate system for a house? Because appliances that run on natural gas heat up more quickly than their electric equivalents. This efficiency is combined with the possibility of a more precise temperature setting. In other words, everything it takes to ensure optimal, uniform comfort in every room of your home!
4. Safety
Many people mistakenly think that using natural gas isn’t safe. In fact, natural gas is non-toxic, it’s easy to detect if there’s a leak, and it won’t catch fire right away. Did you know that it’s also recognized for its safe production? For the most part, it’s transported via gas pipelines. As a result, it doesn’t generate unpleasant noise, traffic or exhaust fumes. For the regions that aren’t connected to the network of gas pipelines, including Côte-Nord and Nord-du-Québec, the solution is to refrigerate it at -162° C. The resulting liquefied gas can then be hauled over long distances by truck, train or ship. With this cooling method, the volume of the gas shrinks by 600 times, enabling economy of transport, while still putting safety first.
5.Environmental friendliness
Natural gas burns cleaner than all other fossil fuels. In fact, it produces approximately 30 percent less CO2 than petroleum and approximately 50 percent less than coal. Opponents like to point out that it’s non-renewable, which is a valid criticism. In other words, it could become scarcer in years to come, leading to an increase in its price. Furthermore, its smaller ecological footprint is debatable because of its composition—chiefly methane—which has more of an effect on climate change than CO2 does.
Fortunately, the Government of Quebec is aware of this fact and is making efforts to favor renewable natural gas (RNG), a biogas that is captured from decomposing organic matter (primarily food scraps) and then refined. Another government goal is to continue reducing the carbon footprint of natural gas heating, chiefly through a regulation implemented in 2019 in relation to the quantity of RNG that must be delivered by natural gas distributors.
Are you thinking about converting to natural gas heating?
If you’d like to get further information on natural gas so you can be sure that you’re making an informed decision, you can count on the professionals at Plomberie Roger Chayer. They’re genuine heating experts who can guide you toward a choice that’s efficient, affordable and responsible.
Sources:
Canada Energy Regulator. What is in a Canadian residential natural gas bill? 2021.
Quebec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. Gaz naturel (Natural Gas). 2021.
