what appliances use gas in an apartment
Typical Gas Appliances in Apartments
The answer to “what appliances use gas in an apartment” is mostly about three core categories:
1. Gas Stove/Range
The most common gas appliance in apartments. Offers instant heat, controllable flame, and is favored by cooks for precision. Gas ranges typically include burners and an oven, with pilot light or electronic ignition.
2. Gas Water Heater
Provides hot water for taps, showers, and dishwashers. May be a large tank (4060 gallons per apartment cluster) or a tankless/ondemand unit. Central water heating is often shared in larger apartment buildings; individual water heaters more common in duplexes or small complexes.
3. Gas Furnace or Boiler
Main heating system for the apartment (forced air furnace or radiant baseboard/steam via boiler). Runs off natural gas in most urban markets; propane in rural situations. Controlled by inunit or building thermostat.
Less Common but Still Possible
4. Gas Dryer
Requires dedicated gas line and proper venting. Popular in older buildings and some highend or “energy option” rentals. More common in laundry rooms that serve multiple apartments than in individual units.
5. Gas Fireplace
Amenity in higherend, older, or luxury units; may be decorative or genuinely functional (providing heat). Easy to use, often with pushbutton ignition and a blower for room warmth.
What’s Unlikely to Be Gas in Most Apartments?
Refrigerator: Electricpowered; gas refrigerators are almost exclusively for offgrid cabins. Dishwasher: Always electricpowered, though gets hot water from gas water heater if present. Microwave and small appliances: Always electric.
How to Tell What Appliances Use Gas in an Apartment
1. Check the lease: Fuel types are often specified. 2. Inspect for gas line: Look for small metal or flexible supply lines running to the appliance; gas shutoff valves are common nearby. 3. Ignition and controls: Gas stoves click or spark; pilot lights are visible in older models. 4. Vents or flues: Gas water heaters and furnaces require venting to the outside; look for metal ducts. 5. Utility bills: Most gas apartments have both a gas and an electric utility; heat, cooktop, and water heating costs show up on the gas ledger.
Pros and Cons of Gas Appliances
Pros
Cheaper to operate in most markets than electric, especially for heating and cooking. Instanton for ranges and furnaces; hot water in seconds. Familiarity for many renters and homeowners.
Cons
Gas leaks risk; requires discipline in use (turning off burners, reporting sulfur/rotten egg smell). Carbon monoxide hazard; proper venting, monitoring needed. Some municipalities phasing out gas for new apartments in favor of allelectric efficiency and lower emissions.
Upgrades and Future Trends
Induction cooktops gaining ground in cities banning new gas hookups. Electric heat pumps replacing gas furnaces for energy discipline and climate strategies. Ondemand electric water heaters in newer, “green” buildings.
Still, for now, what appliances use gas in an apartment remains stove, water heater, and furnace/boiler first—dryer and fireplace as rare, contextdependent extras.
Maintenance and Safety
Annual inspection: Required for all gas appliances. Carbon monoxide detectors: Mandatory in most codes. Tenant/landlord responsibility: Tenants test, landlords fix—know what your contract states.
When to Ask More
Rental hunting: Confirm what appliances use gas in an apartment before signing; ask about recent upgrades and service history. Utility budgeting: Use data from previous tenants or landlord to estimate cost difference for electric vs. gasequipped units. Health and regulation: Ask about city/state plans for gas restriction or incentives to upgrade to electric/energy star certified appliances.
FAQs
Does every apartment have gas appliances? No—many new, small, or highrise buildings are fully electric.
Can I switch to electric if I prefer? Not unless you own; in rentals, landlord approval and infrastructure upgrades are required.
What’s the biggest benefit of gas? Cost and flexibility (especially during power outages for stovetop usage).
Final Thoughts
The question “what appliances use gas in an apartment” is central to researching, renting, and upgrading units. Ranges, water heaters, and heating are still the normal trio, with dryers and fireplaces as rare bonuses. Whether you’re planning, budgeting, or maintaining, discipline in tracking fuel types is essential to avoid surprises, prevent hazards, and keep monthly costs predictable. As technology and city codes evolve, stay aware of your utility options—but in most U.S. apartments today, gas is still at the heart of comfort and convenience.