{"id":80458,"date":"2023-02-08T14:16:39","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T22:16:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=80458"},"modified":"2023-08-18T09:34:08","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T16:34:08","slug":"what-is-natural-gas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-natural-gas\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Natural Gas and How Is It Used in Your Home?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The U.S. is the world\u2019s largest producer of natural gas. People <\/span>use it every day<\/span><\/a> to generate heat, cook, and dry clothes, among other things. In fact, in 2021, about <\/span>half of the homes in the U.S.<\/span><\/a> used natural gas for space and water heating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Natural gas is also becoming more popular as the country tries to reduce its emissions. Natural gas is the lowest-emitting fossil fuel available, so many municipalities are switching to it in favor of oil.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, natural gas comes with many risks: it\u2019s dangerous to extract, flammable, and poses significant health risks with prolonged exposure. Because of this, other governments are phasing it out in favor of renewable electricity. So what is natural gas, how is it produced, and how is it used in your home? Whether you live in a <\/span>house in Boston<\/span><\/a>, or an <\/span>apartment in New Haven, CT<\/span><\/a>, read on to learn more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is natural gas?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Natural gas is a <\/span>nonrenewable fossil fuel<\/span><\/a> extracted from the earth through drilling <\/span>and hydraulic fracturing<\/span><\/a> (fracking). It\u2019s a colorless, odorless gas mixture composed of four gasses \u2013 primarily methane, a highly flammable gas. Natural gas is <\/span>classified as a fossil fuel<\/span><\/a> because it originates from organic matter that is hundreds of millions of years old.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the U.S., natural gas is used for different purposes like generating electricity, producing heat, and powering vehicles. It\u2019s especially helpful in homes to provide energy during times when other renewable sources are not available or during peak usage periods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is natural gas used for in your home?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cMost homes primarily use natural gas for heating, cooking, and drying clothes,\u201d notes Pete Deininger from Breck Life Group<\/a>. In fact, <\/span>58% of homes<\/span><\/a> across the country use natural gas to heat their homes, amounting to 42% of total residential energy consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furnaces in particular are common in homes and often use natural gas to operate. <\/span>The team at <\/span>R.A. Dobson, Inc.<\/span><\/a>, agrees: \u201cNatural gas and liquid propane gas are the most common fuels furnaces use, though some types operate through electricity or burning wood.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Gas stoves<\/span><\/a> are especially popular for their cooking capabilities and lower energy costs, but they have been shown to reduce indoor air quality. <\/span>Gas clothes dryers<\/span><\/a> are another standard option for consumers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Appliances that use natural gas<\/span><\/h3>\n