[tadtam]

Are Natural GAS Refrigerators more economical and practical in Las Vegas. Seems like it would save on electricity which is more expensive. Anyone have any experience with them?

[scociny]

I had no idea these even existed! Sorry, I don't have any experience with them.

[lvoc]

Originally Posted by tadtam

Are Natural GAS Refrigerators more economical and practical in Las Vegas. Seems like it would save on electricity which is more expensive. Anyone have any experience with them?

No. They are not terribly efficient and generate considerable heat so they must be vented to the outside world. Only use I know is in RVs and the better ones use AC refrigerators.

[ScoopLV]

Natural gas is a common thing in the boating world. They are hot as hell and don't chill as effectively as compressors. I've yet to have a properly cold beer that came out of a sailboat galley.

But it's been 15 years since I've had a beer from a galley. Perhaps they've improved things in the past decade. But I would go with the more battled-tested electric compressor. Get the most efficient one you can find and you'll likely save a lot of money.

[braindead0]

The Amish folks use them, Lehmans hardware is a good source for info: https://www.lehmans.com/

[Buzz123]

I seem to recall that older homes in Las Vegas had both gas lines and electrical outlets in the refrigerator areas. Unless I'm thinking of washing machines. But I'd swear they were there and that the gas company used to advertise that fact.

[tadtam]

In the early 70's I lived on an 11 Acre island off CT coast. We did not have electricity. All appliances were propane. That is what got me thinking, in an area with a lot of gas usage would it be more economical than electric.
The one we had on the island looked like an old "ice box".
The new ones seem to be similar to today's electric ones.???

[lvoc]

Originally Posted by tadtam

In the early 70's I lived on an 11 Acre island off CT coast. We did not have electricity. All appliances were propane. That is what got me thinking, in an area with a lot of gas usage would it be more economical than electric.
The one we had on the island looked like an old "ice box".
The new ones seem to be similar to today's electric ones.???

The store cited above indicates a daily usage of about 1.5 lbs of propane. That would cost around $1.25 per day. I think a new refrigerator would use electric power of about 30% of that cost. I don't know the BTU calculation versus natural gas - but certainly naturqal gas would be a bit cheaper.

They were considered virtually indestructible if I remember correctly. Ran on for ever if kept hooked up.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by lvoc

The store cited above indicates a daily usage of about 1.5 lbs of propane. That would cost around $1.25 per day. I think a new refrigerator would use electric power of about 30% of that cost. I don't know the BTU calculation versus natural gas - but certainly naturqal gas would be a bit cheaper.

They were considered virtually indestructible if I remember correctly. Ran on for ever if kept hooked up.

Typical energy usage for a contemporary 25 cubic foot refrigerator/freezer is 400-500kWh per year, or about $4 a month.

[lvoc]

Checking around a bit it appears natural gas is about half the cost of propane per BTU. So maybe $0.60 for NG per day. or $18 a month. Still looks like a no brainer.