Natural gas is commonly used in U.S. homes for space heating, hot water, cooking, and clothes drying. Appliances that may run on natural gas include furnaces, boilers, water heaters, stoves, ovens, clothes dryers, and fireplaces.
Some homes also use natural gas for outdoor grills, pool or hot tub heaters, and standby generators. However, not every home is connected to a natural gas supply, and many household appliances are available in both gas and electric versions.
What Appliances Use Natural Gas in a House?
| Appliance | What natural gas is used for |
|---|---|
| Furnace | Heating indoor air |
| Boiler | Heating water for radiators or other heating systems |
| Water heater | Providing hot water |
| Gas stove or oven | Cooking food |
| Clothes dryer | Heating air to dry clothes |
| Gas fireplace | Heating a room or providing decorative flames |
| Outdoor gas grill | Cooking outdoors |
| Pool or hot tub heater | Heating water |
| Standby generator | Producing electricity during power outages |
1. Heating Systems
Space heating is one of the most common residential uses of natural gas. A gas furnace burns natural gas to heat air, which is then distributed through the home using ducts.
A gas boiler works differently. It heats water that circulates through radiators, baseboard systems, or other hydronic heating equipment.
Gas heating equipment often still needs electricity. A furnace may use electricity to operate its blower fan, electronic ignition, thermostat, and control systems, while a boiler may need electricity for pumps and controls.
2. Water Heaters
Natural gas water heaters provide hot water for showers, sinks, and other household uses. Two common types are storage tank water heaters, which maintain a supply of heated water in a tank, and tankless water heaters, which heat water as it is needed.
Water heaters can also be electric, so the presence of a water heater does not necessarily mean a home uses natural gas. ENERGY STAR provides information about different types of residential water heating equipment.
3. Gas Stoves and Ovens
A gas range uses natural gas to produce heat for cooking. The cooktop, oven, or both may use gas depending on the appliance design.
Even when the heat comes from natural gas, a modern range may still need electricity for electronic ignition, lights, displays, timers, and controls. Some kitchens also have dual-fuel ranges that combine a gas cooktop with an electric oven.
4. Clothes Dryers
A gas clothes dryer uses natural gas to heat the air used to dry clothing. Electricity is generally still needed to rotate the drum and operate the fan, controls, and other components.
A standard washing machine does not use natural gas directly. However, a wash cycle can indirectly involve gas consumption if the washing machine uses hot water supplied by a natural gas water heater.
5. Fireplaces and Other Gas Appliances
Homes may contain several additional natural gas appliances. Gas fireplaces can provide supplemental room heat or decorative flames without burning wood. Some households also have gas space heaters.
Outdoor equipment may include permanently connected natural gas grills, pool or hot tub heaters, and standby generators that use natural gas to produce electricity during an outage.
These appliances are optional and are much less universal than furnaces or water heaters. The exact combination depends on the home, local gas availability, and the equipment installed by the owner.
What Uses the Most Natural Gas in a House?
In a home with natural gas heating, space heating is typically the largest use of natural gas. The U.S. Energy Information Administration identifies space heating, water heating, cooking, and clothes drying among the major residential uses of natural gas.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s overview of natural gas use shows why household consumption can vary substantially depending on how the fuel is used.
Heating demand is especially important in colder parts of the United States. A large home in a cold climate with a gas furnace may use far more natural gas than a smaller home in a warm region where gas is used only for cooking and hot water.
Actual consumption also depends on insulation, number of occupants, appliance efficiency, thermostat settings, water use, and the condition of the equipment. There is no single percentage breakdown that applies to every home.
How Can You Tell Which Appliances in Your House Use Gas?
If you are unsure which appliances are connected to natural gas, there are several safe ways to identify them.
1. Check appliance labels. Look for the manufacturer’s data plate or label. It may identify the fuel as Natural Gas, NG, Propane, LP Gas, or Electric.
2. Look up the model number. Search the manufacturer’s documentation for the exact model. The specifications should identify the required fuel or energy source.
3. Check your utility bills. A natural gas bill confirms that the property is using gas somewhere, but the bill usually will not tell you which individual appliances are responsible for the consumption.
4. Ask your landlord or a qualified technician. If you rent the home or cannot identify the equipment safely, ask the property owner, manager, or a qualified professional.
There is no need to disconnect piping, open gas equipment, or attempt to inspect internal connections yourself simply to determine the fuel type.
Do All Household Appliances Run on Gas?
No. Most household electronics and many major appliances run on electricity. Refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, microwaves, televisions, computers, and standard central air-conditioning systems are typically electric.
A house can therefore have a gas furnace for winter heating while using electricity for air conditioning, lighting, refrigeration, and numerous other appliances.
Natural gas should also not be confused with propane. Both fuels can power similar types of appliances, but they are different gases with different supply systems and operating requirements. Equipment must be designed or properly configured for the specific fuel it uses.