Unlike with electricity, natural gas supply is unaffected by the weather. Its delivery via underground pipelines means that storms won’t disrupt supply so your home will stay toasty warm no matter what’s happening outside.
The advantages of heating with natural gas
The advantages of heating your home with natural gas are abundant, including convenience, energy and cost savings, reliable supply, and environmental benefits. We list the major advantages so that you can make an informed decision.
Reliable supply
Instant heat
One of the greatest benefits of natural gas is its potential for instant heat. As soon as a heater or heating system is turned on the ignitor is lit and heat begins to flow into your home. There’s no waiting for your house to slowly warm up, plus a cosy atmosphere can also be created immediately - imagine the effect of a roaring log fire which can be ignited at the flip of a switch and then left, without having to gather and carefully stack firewood and kindling, light it, wait for the flames to grow big enough and then continue to maintain it.
Cleaner burning
Unlike wood or coal fires, natural gas doesn’t leave behind smoke, ash or odours. Because of this, gas heaters tend to have a longer operational life and require less maintenance than other types of heater.
Cost effective
Natural gas is, in most states, far less expensive than electricity. The initial cost involved in buying a gas heater may be higher but the lower running costs will save you money in the long term.
As heating and cooling your home uses more energy than anything else, including cooking, water heating, lighting, and running appliances, this is something that should be carefully considered.
Depending on the size of the area you want to heat and type of gas heater you're running, costs could significantly vary.
| Gas Heater Type | Typical Energy Rating (MJ) | Estimated Hourly Run Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Flued & Unflued | 8 | $0.35 |
| 15 | $0.66 | |
| 21 | $0.91 | |
| 25 | $1.08 | |
| Flued | 30 | $1.30 |
| 40 | $1.74 | |
| Central heating | 50 | $2.19 |
| 60 | $2.63 | |
| 90 | $3.93 | |
| 120 | $5.24 |
Flexible heating
Newer ducted heating models allow you to compartmentalise your home into zones so that you can enjoy the convenience of central heating without having to heat every room in your house at once, which saves both energy and money. Ducted gas heating also boasts a constant and consistent heat output, regardless of how cold it is outside, and won’t dry out the eyes, unlike reverse cycle heating systems.
Lower carbon footprint
Compared to coal or oil, natural gas produces less of a carbon impact - around 40%-50% less than other fossil fuels. In fact, the combustion process for natural gas is close to perfect, with only a small amount of by products emitted into the atmosphere as pollutants when it is burned. It emits hardly any sulphur, far less nitrogen dioxide, and no solid waste.
* Estimated cost only - actual cost may differ. It's recommended to calculate costs based on your unique usage patterns and appliances. Additional factors that may influence your appliances' gas costs include its brand, model, energy efficiency, and settings.
