Dominion Energy Ohio Reminds Customers to Keep Meters Clear of Snow and Ice;
Shares Tips on Safety and Winter Conservation
To help our customers stay warm and comfortable during frigid temperatures and heavy snowfalls, Dominion Energy Ohio offers these important safety and conservation tips for natural gas customers.
Dominion Energy Ohio reminds customers that heavy, wet snow can block or damage metering equipment. Although Dominion Energy owns and maintains the gas meter, it’s 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.
- 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.
- Do not plow or pile up snow against or on the gas metering equipment, as well as any of the company’s equipment buildings.
- Remove snow or ice from the meter or piping by hand. Do not strike or otherwise damage the metering equipment. Remove icicles from overhead eaves to prevent dripping water from freezing on metering equipment.
How to conserve natural gas in extreme cold
- Turn down your thermostat. Set the thermostat at 68° or as low as is comfortable during the day.
- Add an extra layer. A sweater and wool socks can keep you warm when you lower your thermostat.
- Lower your water heater setting. Set the water heater’s temperature to 120° unless the manufacturer’s guidelines require a higher setting.
- Replace air filters regularly. Dirty air filters can increase energy usage, damage the heating system and compromise air quality.
Customers can find more energy savings tips at, www.DominionEnergy.com
“Dominion Energy is able to serve its customers reliably during extreme cold when customers conserve their natural gas use,” said Jim Eck, Dominion Energy vice president & general manager, Ohio & West Virginia Distribution. “Dominion Energy anticipates being able to provide reliable service again for upcoming cold weather, but we also ask customers to conserve where they can do so safely.”
Payment Plans: Colder weather can lead to higher natural gas bills. Payment assistance options can be accessed 24/7 at https://www.dominionenergy.com/west-virginia/billing/billing-options-and-assistance or through the Dominion Energy app. Dominion Energy offers a number of different options for customers who are experiencing high winter bills. Customers can make arrangements by contacting 1-800-688-4673. Contacting us early may provide more options. Some accommodations include:
- Budget Billing: a convenient option to avoid seasonal fluctuations in bills. The amount you pay on your Dominion Energy natural gas bill will be the same every month, making budgeting easier.
- Flexible payment plans: help spread payments out and make them more manageable.
Prevent carbon monoxide issues with annual safety inspection
Dominion Energy Ohio reminds customers that an annual gas heating system inspection is the best way to prevent any potential carbon (CO) problems. Use of a CO detector provides a second line of defense.
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 even death, at high levels.
If customers suspect CO, they should:
- Get everyone out of the house and call the fire department or dial 9-1-1.
- Identify and correct the source of the CO.
A malfunctioning appliance can create carbon monoxide gas, which can be deadly. Three warning signs that a gas appliance is emitting CO long before hazardous CO levels can build up:
- Excessive, unexplained moisture: If the chimney is blocked, excessive water will accumulate on walls and windows.
- Soot build-up: Black carbon will accumulate on ceilings and walls, blackening the front of a fireplace and the front door of a furnace.
- A strong, obnoxious odor: Although CO is odorless in its pure form, it’s usually
associated with aldehydes, which have an odor similar to automobile exhaust.
24-Hour Dominion Energy Ohio Safety and Emergency Service: The company considers it an emergency if customers smell an odor of gas or if none of their natural gas appliances are working. If customers smell a natural gas odor inside a house or building, they should leave the premises immediately and call Dominion East Ohio’s 24-hour emergency service from a neighbor’s house, toll-free, at 1-877-542-2630. Customers should also call if they experience any service interruptions; however, in the event of an electric power outage, natural gas appliances may not work.
When there is a gas odor, Dominion Energy advises customers:
- Leave the house or building immediately.
- From a neighbor’s home call Dominion Energy Ohio’s 24-hour emergency service at,
1-877-542-2630 - DO NOT attempt to locate the gas leak or open windows.
- DO NOT use telephones or cell phones or turn any electrical switches, appliances or lights on or off, or unplug electrical appliances.
- DO NOT smoke or use lighters, matches or other open flames.