Nearly 7.0 million families across Canada rely on natural gas to fuel their homes and daily routines. You may be surprised by how much we rely on it throughout the day — from the living room to the backyard, many products and household utilities rely on natural gas.
What’s Inside is an interactive learning tool that takes you on a tour of the typical Canadian home. As you move from room to room, you’ll discover the many ways natural gas is used and the benefits it provides.
Click here to take the tour or continue reading to learn more.
Warm living rooms, warm hearts.
Across Canada, natural gas fireplaces are a favourite for ensuring living rooms stay toasty and inviting during our chilly winters. Close to 3.2 million Canadians have a gas fireplace installed. They’re a cost-effective alternative to wood-burning fireplaces and are much cleaner.
Natural gas? Yes, chef.
Around 1.4 million Canadian households cook with a natural gas stove and oven — and that doesn’t include the thousands of restaurants also using natural gas. In fact, many chefs recommend gas cooking appliances for their instant temperature control, lower energy costs, and even heat distribution. Gas stove tops work through power outages, which can be a life saver if you live in an area that experiences prolonged blackouts.
Make laundry day a breeze.
Natural gas dryers run at higher temperatures allowing them to dry clothes faster — leading to less wear and tear on your fabrics. Shorter drying times mean less time in use, which can add up to significant energy savings over time. You could join the 442,000 Canadian households that use natural gas to fuel laundry day.
Whole home warmth and hot water on demand.
Natural gas appliances like a furnace or boiler in your utility room provide efficient and reliable heating or cooling throughout your home, no matter the season. 7.3 million Canadian households use natural gas furnaces as a primary means of heat. The average household using natural gas for space heating saves around $1,500 per year on energy costs compared to other sources.
In recent years, hybrid heat pumps that use both natural gas and electricity have gained popularity in Canada. They reduce emissions by leveraging electricity to cool homes in the summer and heat them during the fall and spring seasons. Natural gas is used during the coldest months for a reliable heat source. See Richard Laszlo’s article on hybrid heating for more information.
Natural gas water heaters are used by 7.9 million Canadian households as a cost-effective way to heat water. They warm water faster than electric models due to a higher BTU output and efficient heat transfer. So, Canadians can enjoy a hot shower without wasting water while it warms up.
Natural gas and your great outdoors.
From BBQs to patio heaters to hot tubs, many Canadians install a natural gas line in their backyards to ensure a safe and steady fuel source for outdoor fun and entertainment.
Natural gas BBQs heat up quickly and offer precise temperature controls. While they may have higher upfront costs than propane or charcoal alternatives, in the long run their cost-effectiveness will pay off. Say goodbye to hauling bags of charcoal or propane tanks for refills. Natural gas also burns cleaner than propane, making it a great alternative for the environment.
Winter’s a lot more enjoyable when you get to use your outdoor space almost year-round, thanks to natural gas patio and pool heaters, fireplaces, and hot tubs. Natural gas is a powerful heating option that warms up fast, offers efficient temperature control, and is more cost-effective than endlessly refilling propane tanks.
Many Canadians also opt to have a natural gas backup generator connected to their home. With one installed, you’ll have peace of mind during power outages thanks to automatic backup power when the lights go out. It can keep your home running smoothly, so you can stay comfortable and connected even during a blackout. The generator is connected directly to your natural gas line, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of fuel or making trips for gas or diesel. Plus, if outages last several days, natural gas will save you money when compared to gas or diesel generators.
Natural gas is a natural for your whole home.
It’s found in the kitchen, living room, utility room, and even the backyard. Natural gas is a cost-effective means for heating and fuelling our daily lives and a cleaner alternative to most existing methods. It will continue to play a big part in our energy future.
Unfortunately, some groups aim to ban natural gas for residential uses, so we must work together to protect its availability to all Canadians.
Be sure to check out Voice for Energy’s newest experience, What’s Inside, to see examples of natural gas in action.
If you believe in the importance and value of having the choice to use natural gas in Canadian homes, reach out to your elected officials directly. Visit our Take Action page to use our easy letter-writing tool.
