With Winter Just Around the Corner, PECO Emphasizes the Importance of Natural Gas Safety

PHILADELPHIA (December 12, 2023) — With the heating season upon us, PECO customers are using more natural gas to heat their homes and businesses. Just as PECO prepares its natural gas and electric systems for winter, customers should prepare too. Heating systems should be checked now and inspected by a qualified technician hired by the customer to ensure safe and efficient operation for the season ahead. Customers also should take this time to inspect other natural gas appliances, like ovens, dryers, fireplaces, and hot water heaters to ensure they remain safe and efficient.

“Safety is always our top priority and with the winter just weeks away, we know many of our customers will be using more natural gas,” said Amy Hamilton, PECO Vice President of Gas Operations. “We are asking customers to put safety first, and to ensure they maintain their natural gas equipment and know how to recognize and report any natural gas concerns.”

Customers and residents also should remember the following important information about natural gas:

• Natural gas has no natural odor, so an odorant is added to help detect if a leak occurs.
• Promptly removing yourself and others from the area and thereafter reporting a natural gas odor plays a critical role in ensuring safety.

If you smell natural gas, call PECO at 1-800-841-4141, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• If you smell an odor of natural gas inside, evacuate immediately and call PECO from outside.
  • Do not open or close any windows
  • Do not operate any electrical devices, including but not limited to lights and appliances
  • Do not use any devices such as telephones, cell phones, radios, doorbells, or flashlights
  • Do not smoke, strike a match, or use a lighter
  • Do not start a motor vehicle near the building or source of odor
  • Do not try to shut off the natural gas service
• If you smell natural gas outside, especially near a natural gas meter, call PECO.

During winter storms, customers also should remember to:

• Keep exhaust vents for natural gas appliances like water heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces clear of snow and ice to prevent buildup of carbon monoxide.
• Keep natural gas meters clear of snow and ice by using a broom or brush to gently clear the area around the meter.

PECO works hard to ensure the safe delivery of reliable and affordable energy for more than 548,000 natural gas customers. The company inspects and maintains approximately 13,000 miles of natural gas transmission, distribution, and service lines. In addition, PECO consistently ranks as one of the best companies for natural gas odor response reliability, with the goal of responding in less than one hour.

Increased usage can also lead to higher bills. Customers are encouraged to take the following steps to manage their usage and bills:

• Monitor usage through MyAccount and track energy use, set up alerts, get tips on how to reduce costs, and more.
• Increase energy efficiency by visiting WaysToSaveto learn about energy assessments and how to qualify for rebates and incentives. Consider Bill Relief and Financial Assistance to help with higher winter energy bills.

For more information about natural gas safety, including a video on what to do if you smell gas, visit peco.com/gassafety.