Natural Gas Safety in Winter Weather

Ohio is no stranger to frigid weather, and we need to not be strangers to natural gas safety during this time of year. Here are some safety tips to stay safe during the cold months ahead.

Carbon Monoxide

Things like furnaces and fireplaces are likely to be turned on after sitting dormant for months, and carbon monoxide is a risk when the fuel in our natural gas appliances doesn’t burn properly. Make sure that:

Gas appliances are properly vented
There is plenty of air for combustion
Your HVAC system is serviced annually by a qualified contractor
Carbon monoxide detectors are installed in your home

Check your carbon monoxide detectors in the spring and fall when you change your clocks. Always install and maintain them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Warning signs of carbon monoxide include condensation on the walls inside your home and sooty or black stains on the walls near the registers from the furnace or at your gas appliances.

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Natural gas furnaces, water heaters and cooking appliances should have a blue flame, not a lazy yellow flame. An occasional flicker of orange in an otherwise blue flame is normal.

Furnace flue and vent pipes

Keep furnace flue and vent pipes clear!

Exhaust gases from your gas burning appliances need to go somewhere and they should get there through a vent or flue.

Some homes have flues on the roof, while others may look like white PVC pipe coming through an exterior wall, typically near where the foundation meets the first floor. No matter which style you have, it’s critical that snow and other debris don’t block them.

Some newer furnaces will shut themselves off if they’re not ventilating properly. Before you call a repairman for a costly visit, make sure there’s no debris blocking your furnace’s vent.

Gas Meters

If you have an outdoor gas meter, make sure that it’s clear of ice and snow. Natural gas meters have a regulator and a pressure relief. Buildup can impact the meter’s ability to control the pressure of the natural gas, which could lead to a loss of heat or a fire.

Snow or ice buildup can also damage your natural gas meter’s piping, which could cause a natural gas leak. A frozen (encased in ice) or leaking gas meter is an emergency and should be reported immediately by calling 877-542-2630.