Appliances
Commercial and Residential Appliances
In the commercial and residential sector natural gas is mainly used for space heating, water heating and cooking but in the last decade new applications have emerged. Comfort cooling, tumble dryers, and micro CHP, are examples of new applications. Micro CHP is an advantageous technology for companies with a constant demand for both low temperature heat and electricity, like hotels, hospitals, etc. Further, the technical progresses achieved on micro CHP may bring combined production of electricity and heat into domestic houses.
Gas boiler efficiencies have improved considerably during the last decades as a result of the co-operation of the manufacturers and the natural gas industry. Condensing boilers, which are now penetrating the European markets, make optimal use of the fuel due to the heat release by condensation of water vapour. This energy is otherwise wasted in conventional heating systems. energy savings reach up to 40% when replacing an old gas-fired boiler. In combination with the new generation of modulating and low-NOx burners, gas technology offers the environmentally optimal solution for heating and hot water production for the near future.
Trends are evident towards the further decentralisation of power generation. Eventually, households could even start to produce their own electricity using gas, with heat as a by-product, in a process of micro-generation. If more electricity is generated in the home than needed, it can be supplied to the grid. More solar power could also be used in combination with gas.
