Dominion Energy offers winter safety tips
Dominion Energy Ohio recently offered various winter safety and conservation tips for its natural gas customers.
Customers should keep metering equipment and vents clear. Heavy, wet snow can block or damage metering equipment. It is the customer’s responsibility to provide clear access to the meter and associated metering equipment and to keep it free from obstructions in case of an emergency.
Customers should keep snow and ice from blocking the side wall vents of gas appliances, especially high efficiency furnaces that tend to vent to the side of the house. The company recommended that customers do not plow or pile up snow against or on the gas metering equipment or any of the company’s equipment buildings.
Customers are advised to remove snow or ice from the meter or piping by hand and to avoid striking or otherwise damaging the metering equipment. Icicles should be removed from overhead eaves to prevent dripping water from freezing on metering equipment.
Tips on preserving natural gas in extreme cold include turning down a thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit or as low as is comfortable during the day; adding extra layers of clothing; lowering water heater settings to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, unless the manufacturer’s guidelines require a higher setting; and replacing air filters regularly.
Dominion Energy Ohio reminds customers that an annual gas heating system inspection is the best way to prevent any potential carbon problem, CO exposure produces flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, confusion or irritability at low levels and vomiting, drowsiness and loss of consciousness or death. Customers that suspect CO exposure should get everyone out of the house, call the fire department or dial 9-1-1 and identify and correct the source of the CO.
Three warning signs that a gas appliance is emitting CO long before hazardous CO levels can build up include excessive, unexplained moisture; soot build-up; and a strong, obnoxious odor.
For information: DominionEnergy.com.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Dominion Energy offers winter safety tips
