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Day
after day, year after year, natural gas flows to your home
and is used without incident. Natural gas is a very safe,
reliable and efficient source of energy, but just like any
other energy source, it must be used with care and respect
to avoid the dangers that can result from misuse.
Natural
gas has been known as a useful source of energy for hundreds
of years. Long ago, the Chinese discovered it was a useful
fuel and used it to heat water. Later, the natural gas industry
used it for street lamps and in the occasional house. As distribution
channels increased and technology advanced, natural gas became
a very valuable resource and today it is being used in ways
never before thought possible.
Natural
gas is one of the cheapest forms of energy available to the
residential consumer. In fact, the Department
of Energy (DOE) estimates that in 2002, natural gas is
the lowest cost conventional energy source available for residential
use.
One
of the most popular uses is for residential heating. According
to the American
Gas Association, 51 percent of heated homes in the U.S.
(or 49.1 million households), used natural gas heating in
2000.
Natural
gas appliances are also rising in popularity due to their
efficiency and cost effectiveness. Cooking with a natural
gas range or oven can also provide many benefits, including
easy temperature control, self ignition and self cleanin.
Many of the top chefs prefer natural gas ranges for their
quick heating ability and temperature control. Gone are the
days of temperamental natural gas ranges, the newer generations
of natural gas ranges allow for some of the most efficient,
economical, and versatile cooking appliances ever.
Sometimes,
gas powered appliances are initially more expensive than their
electric counterparts, however, they are commonly cheaper
to operate, have a longer expected life, and require relatively
low maintenance.
Some examples of other natural gas appliances include space
heaters, clothes dryers, pool and jacuzzi heaters, fireplaces,
barbecues, garage heaters, and outdoor lights. All of these
appliances offer a safe, efficient, and economical alternative
to electricity or other fuel sources.
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