Many apartment buildings utilize natural gas for heating their apartments and powering appliances, with costs typically being added onto rent or included as part of the monthly rental statement.
Gas heating can often be safer and more energy-efficient than electric, but what exactly are you using it for in your apartment?
Furnace
A furnace uses gas to keep your apartment warm during cold winter weather and to distribute air around it to help with dust and pollen control, using filters for air quality purposes; regularly replacing these filters keeps allergens at bay which could make you sick.
Natural gas provides your apartment with heat. This mixture of hydrocarbons includes methane, propane, butane and pentane can provide clean, affordable heating that’s environmentally-friendly – millions of years went into its production! And because this resource can be reused over and over again.
As well as providing heating in your apartment building, gas can also power appliances like stoves and hot water heaters. To identify which appliances use gas in your apartment building, look out for flame icons or gas meters on them as an indicator. Alternatively, check the label on them or look outside your apartment building for meters displaying this information.
Your gas bill will usually depend on how much gas you consume; however, in certain instances utility companies may overestimate and charge accordingly. To prevent this happening to you, check and have your landlord read your meter so you can use it to measure exactly how much you have used.
An average one-bedroom apartment will incur an average monthly bill of $73. This cost may increase during winter when using heating appliances like furnace and water heater, as well as due to weather and climate. Therefore, it is wise to monitor both temperature and gas consumption to maximize cost efficiency.
Stovetop
Some apartments still use gas stoves, though co-ops and condominiums are increasingly opting for electric versions due to new research showing they produce harmful air pollution that poses health risks to children and the elderly. Furthermore, gas lines tend to be harder to maintain than electrical wiring; so before switching over from an old gas one to an electric stove it would be prudent to speak to your building governing body to see what steps need to be taken to safely cap off and remove existing lines; hiring professional plumbers may assist here too if that option exists.
Natural gas accounts for the vast majority of residential heating needs in the US. It’s cheaper and more energy-efficient than electricity – particularly in harsh winter environments – making natural gas an economical solution. Many landlords install gas stoves into rental units because it provides more luxury experience than an electric-powered model.
Gas stoves come in several styles. Slide-in or freestanding models may feature burners with either solid or coil flames that burn blue; range cooktops often include separate ovens.
Some apartments feature gas BBQ grills on their balconies for residents’ use. It should be kept away from the unit to prevent fires, and most buildings will impose rules against their usage as an open flame requires ventilation. If your apartment features one and you wish to use it, contact your management office first in order to find out whether it’s permitted; if so, be sure that when using it that it remains clean and free of ash.
Oven
Ovens use natural gas to operate. Not only will it add great flavor to the meals you cook, but also keep the air in your room warm and clean. Therefore, it’s important to clean it frequently and replace its filters regularly to keep it functioning at optimal efficiency.
Many apartment complexes prefer electric stovetops over gas-powered ones as they’re less likely to catch fire, though both types can coexist provided their landlord is confident their tenants will take care in maintaining them.
No matter if an apartment uses gas or not, it’s important to limit little indulgences like taking long showers and using dryers’ “hot” setting excessively. Not only are such activities wasteful in terms of energy and money consumption; they also increase carbon monoxide pollution – something our planet took millions of years to create – thus adding up. To save energy and resources while simultaneously conserving carbon monoxide is key.
New York City’s Greener NYC initiative encourages all buildings to ban gas by 2021; apartments that are seven stories or taller will do so by 2024. If your apartment building is considering this route, professional capping of gas lines before or at the same time removal to ensure no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning exists.
Hot Water Heater
An apartment’s hot water heater typically uses gas to warm its waters. To determine what kind of heating system your apartment uses, speak to either your landlord or property management, or consult your utility bill which should contain information on this topic – for instance it might show how your heater operates as well as any associated meters that might exist in it. While some apartment buildings use electricity exclusively or partially for energy consumption purposes while others also rely on natural gas supply as part of their energy mix.
Gas-powered water heaters tend to be more cost-efficient than their electric counterparts because the gas heater doesn’t need to heat the water as quickly. If you want to save money on your gas bill, simply reduce its temperature.
Some may be wary of natural gas usage due to its fossil-fuel nature and potential climate change impact, but it can still provide safe heating and cooking solutions that help keep an apartment warmer than electricity would alone. Furthermore, natural gas provides an insurance against power outages should one arise.
Energy usage depends on how many occupants live in your apartment and the length of time spent there. For instance, three-bedroom apartments require more energy to keep warm than two-bedroom ones; to reduce bills further by sealing drafts, replacing old appliances with energy-saving versions and turning off lights when not present in a room.
Change the settings on your stove, oven and dishwasher to see if that can lower your gas bill. Close vents that aren’t being used regularly as well as keeping windows insulated during winter to save even more money. Furthermore, invest in a carbon monoxide detector as well as following safety tips provided by landlords or property management to stay safe.
Heat Exchanger
Many apartments use either gas or electricity for heating purposes; however, some buildings provide both options to their tenants.
Since natural gas took millions of years for our planet to produce, it’s essential that we conserve as much as possible. Apartments using significant amounts of natural gas for space heating, cooking and laundry should have their appliances periodically checked for proper flow to prevent leaks or accidents – this will also save money on utility bills throughout the year – particularly since seasonal fluctuations affect utilities significantly.
Most newer apartments rely on natural gas for heating and hot water needs, stovetops, ovens and ranges. To determine your apartment’s energy source – gas or electricity for instance – check its meter or ask the landlord. Furthermore, find out whether your heat comes from convective or radiant sources.
Radiant heating works better in rooms with higher ceilings, while convective heating works best in smaller spaces. If your apartment features radiators, make sure they are appropriately sized and contain clean air filters for maximum effectiveness.
If your apartment features a gas stovetop, you can save on heating costs by turning off its burners when not in use and switching to lower temperature settings for your stove or oven. In addition, central air conditioning may offer savings by making sure its vents have not been closed off by past tenants.