Natural Gas Heating Systems
Natural gas is the most popular form of home heating in the United States capturing 70 percent of the new single-family home market for the past few years. As consumers have become more savvy, builders have become more aware their fuel choices and have specified natural gas - making natural gas heat more popular than electric heat for the past 15 years.

Natural gas heat feels warmer than heat produced by an electric heat pump. Natural gas heat is delivered from forced-air systems at temperatures ranging from 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, the air from an electric heat pump is typically delivered at 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit - warm enough to heat a room, but cooler than the average human skin temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Consumers choose natural gas heat because it is comfortable, convenient, reliable and efficient. Today's heating systems offer wide choices to contractors - from top-of-the-line furnaces that achieve efficiency levels of more than 90 percent, to moderately priced units that meet or slightly exceed the minimum efficiency standard of 78 percent, so that customers don't have to pay for more efficiency than they need.

Cooking with Natural Gas: Precise Control in a Stylish Package
Builders know that a kitchen can sell a house. But smart builders know that natural gas appliances can sell the kitchen. Just as most professional chefs insist on cooking with natural gas, "everyday" cooks recognize that natural gas offers even heat, excellent temperature control and instant on/off settings for cooking and baking. Cooking with natural gas is also economical. It costs about half as much to cook with a natural gas range as with a similar electric range.

Water Heaters
Water heaters are the second biggest energy users in a typical home, next to the heating and cooling system. Natural gas water heaters cost less to operate than electric water heaters, on average, and can heat water twice as fast. In fact, consumers can enjoy two bathtubs full of water with natural gas for the same cost as a single tub full of water heated with electricity, on average.

Natural Gas Grills Natural gas grills occupy a small but growing niche in the residential appliance market. They're great for gourmet cooks as well as people who like to grill hot dogs, chicken and hamburgers. Natural gas grills are convenient, safe, fast and easy to use. 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.

Natural Gas Lights
Natural gas lights add charm, value and security to residential properties. Gas lights safely and attractively illuminate yards, driveways, patios, walkways, gardens, pool areas and decks. Some units call to mind a nostalgic Victorian, Gothic or Colonial era, while contemporary units are suitable for modern homes.

Dry Two Loads of Laundry with Natural Gas for the Same Cost as One Load with Electricity
Natural gas clothes dryers can be a popular amenity for households of all income levels because consumers can dry two loads of clothes in a natural gas dryer, on average, for the same amount of money it costs to dry just one load in an electric dryer. For additional savings and energy conservation, today's natural gas dryers use electronic ignition systems instead of a continuously burning pilot light.

Cleanest Fuel
Natural gas is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, producing primarily carbon dioxide, water vapor and small amounts of nitrogen oxides. Other fossil fuels are coal and oil, which together with natural gas, account for about 88 percent of U.S. energy consumption. The use of natural gas is also rapidly increasing in electric power generation and cooling because it is such a clean-burning energy source.