Tips on Safely Living with Natural Gas

Natural gas is lighter than air. When not confined, escaping gas will rise and quickly dissipate. In a closed room, however, it will accumulate near the ceiling and gradually displace the air, starting at the top and continuing downward. In this latter case a mixture of air and gas could be produced, creating a dangerous condition. Natural gas is colorless and, in its natural state, has no smell. That is why a harmless odorant is added to the gas before it is delivered to your residence. This odor is distinctive and unpleasant, which makes gas leaks easy to detect. When gas is burned properly, the odor is eliminated. If you smell gas inside or outside your home, take immediate action. Escaping gas can result in fires and even an explosion.

A slight or faint gas odor near an appliance does not necessarily indicate a leak - sometimes it simply means that the appliance pilot needs relighting. If you have any doubt, or if the odor persists after relighting the pilot, open windows and doors in the room and immediately call PECO 1-800-841-4141 and let the representative know that you are reporting a gas leak.

Leave the building. Don't operate any gas or electric appliances, or turn any light switches on or off. Open your windows as you leave the residence. If you can, shut off the supply of gas. Only attempt this if you know where the valve is located, can reach it quickly. The natural gas that fuels the appliances in your residence is delivered through a piping network. Gas pipes are buried underneath streets and sidewalks. These pipes have connections that bring gas into homes and buildings, so if you smell gas, call PECO at 1-800-841-4141 and let their representative know that you are reporting a gas leak.

• Be sure to remain available to help emergency personnel locate the problem.
• Advise others of the potential danger so they will leave the immediate area.
• Extinguish all open flames; do not light matches and do not smoke.
• Caution others against the use of engines or motors (autos, lawn mowers, construction machinery, power tools, etc.) in the area where the gas leak is suspected.
• If necessary contact the police or fire department to help keep the area clear and protect nearby property.
  

  Tips on Safely Living with Gas Cylinders

  Liquid Propane Gas (LP) is a convenient and safe source of energy, increasingly used to power appliances around the home, workplace and garden. The gas is propane stored under pressure to keep it liquid. A small leak can produce a large amount of flammable gas and if it ignites, the result could be a fire or even an explosion.

  • Change or connect LP cylinders to an appliance ONLY in the open air
  • Remember that LP fuel is heavier than air and will not disperse in a confined space.
  • Ensure propane appliances are only used in properly ventilated areas.
  • Never smoke or have an open flame near an LP cylinder which is being changed. Beware of sparks from electrical tools, and other sources as well.
  • Check hoses on grill regularly and replace them as soon as you spot cracks or wear. Rodents are easily attracted to the smell of grease drippings on fuel lines, and will chew holes in them.
  • Use of a rodent guard is recommended on the hose of your gas grill. Reveal leaks by applying soapy water to all connections and possible cracks - where there are bubbles, there are leaks.
  • If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the gas right away and get the appliance checked by your gas supplier.
  • Store spare cylinders outside but not below ground level.
  • Lock gas cylinders well away from children.
  
  

  Tips on Safely Living with Solid Fuel Appliances

  • Never leave a fire unattended.
  • Protect against sparks by enclosing a fireplace's opening with glass doors or a sturdy screen.
  • Never close the flue while a fire is still smoldering. Carbon monoxide could build up
  • Never use gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid to start a fire. Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood. For extra safety, light fires with long-stemmed matches, long lighter or a gas fueled log lighter mounted in your fireplace.
  • Have your fireplace/stove and chimney inspected annually. They should be properly vented and free of blockages. Have cleaned as needed by a certified chimney professional.
  • Protect the top of your chimney with a guard that keeps out birds and small animals, and keeps in sparks that could ignite your roof.
  • Keep flammables such as newspapers, magazines, curtains and drapes, rugs and carpeting and holiday decorations well away from the fireplace.
  • Teach children to stay back from the fireplace or stove and the 'Stop, Drop and Roll' drill
  • Keep a fire extinguisher freshly charged and very accessible.
  • Place at least one smoke detector on each floor of your home and outside each sleeping area. Test detectors monthly and replace batteries once a year

  If a fire does break out, take immediate action. Smoke and flames spread rapidly. Get out of the house right away, then call 911 from a neighbor's house or a cellular phone. Fumes overcome most victims long before flames reach them. Use your safest exit. If you must escape through smoke, get down and crawl low under the smoke, keeping your head about 12-24 inches off the floor. Don't attempt to fight a fire unless you know you have the right extinguisher to handle that type of fire, and be sure to keep your back to a safe exit.

  ~

  "Gas is becoming more expensive." - While the cost of fuel does rise occasionally, natural and propane gas are still less expensive than oil or electricity over the long run. In part, due to the extremely efficient nature of the appliances. Your local gas provider can help you do a cost comparison, right over the phone, at today's rates.
  ~ "Gas has an odor." - Some individuals who are hypersensitive to smells will detect an odor regardless of the type appliance used (dryer, range, fireplace). Gas products produce far less pollutants than wood, and are therefore cleaner burning.
  
  Frequently Asked Questions
  
  Q: What is the difference between vented and vent-free appliances?
  A: Vented units' by-products must be exhausted outdoors. The most common type is a vented log set in an existing fireplace. In this application, you would be interested mainly in aesthetics, some heat. The flue must be used in exactly the same way as burning wood (completely open during burns.) Vent-free products do not require venting at the source, but rather need adequate ventilation to the living space. These clean burning appliances give you better than 99% return on the heat produced.
  Q: Can I install a fireplace, where none exists, without breaking down a wall?
  A: Absolutely! Freestanding fireplaces can go right up in front of a wall, and most need no clearance. They can be contained in a cabinet - it is just like adding a piece of furniture to your room.
  Q: I've been told I need a gas insert, but this seems so drastic. What are my options?
  A: Gas inserts are a huge decision to make. Any insert, essentially, robs you of the beauty of the existing fireplace. These appliances are five-sided metal boxes with a sealed glass front, and they detract from the look of the fireplace by closing it in. They must be vented through a chimney or wall. We usually recommend them when only a vented appliance is being considered, and your firebox or chimney is in some way damaged or compromised and cannot safety handle anything that produces by-products. In most applications, a log set will accomplish the desired goal at less than half the cost of an insert, without giving up the look of the fireplace.
  Q: What, exactly, is a gas log set?
  A: These consist of a burner assembly and logs, and take the place of wood in a fireplace. The logs are made of ceramic or ceramic fiber, and do not actually burn.
  They can be put into an existing, wood burning fireplace (conversion) or a prefabricated firebox that is rated for their use. They are an easy, economical way to add a real fire to any room in the house.
  Q: Must I wait for a "cool down" period after turning off a gas fire?
  A: No way! Off means off - just like a light switch. You can burn a fire right up until bedtime with no worries. Only home for an hour in the morning? Have your coffee fireside every day if you choose.
  Q: I want to burn wood, we get lots free. What is a log lighter?
  A: Gas log lighters are a small burner that sits under your log grate. They eliminate the need for kindling by allowing you to light your wood with a direct flame. These are a great feature - particularly in new construction where a gas line is already in place. They're a super selling point for resale, and for those who prefer wood but may wish to switch to gas later.
  Q: How long will a gas product take to heat up?
  A: No time at all, literally. They require no warm up period. This is instant heat on demand (vent-free), or to quickly help a heating system with a specific living space (vented) making them a fantastic choice for vacation homes, infrequently used living spaces and Florida/three-season rooms. Inexpensive gas space heaters, while not particularly attractive, are excellent for basements, garages, sheds, and places where aesthetics aren't an issue.
  
  Shopping Tips
  
  It pays to be an informed consumer. By knowing what to look for in an energy-efficient gas fireplace, you can select a model that will suit your home's decor, contribute to its heating needs and give you peace of mind, but also save you money for years to come.
  Other features can help you judge whether a gas fireplace is energy-efficient: Here is what to look for:
  ~ An intermittent or automatic electronic ignition system. In many gas fireplaces, a pilot light is used to ignite the main burner when the fireplace is turned on - but the pilot light itself can consume as much as half the gas used by your fireplace every year! Consider a fireplace that has an automatic starter, which eliminates the need for a continuous pilot light. At the very least, buy a model that offers a simple method for shutting off and relighting the pilot.
  ~ An insulated outer casing (except for freestanding units). This prevents heat loss through the walls of the home when a fireplace is located on an exterior wall.
  ~ Good control capabilities. Most gas fireplaces have a variable setting control, which allows you to adjust the temperature by regulating the rate of gas consumption. Some models also have an automatic thermostat control, which will adjust the firing rate to keep the room at just the right temperature.
  
  Tips for Using Your Gas Fireplace Safely and Efficiently .
  ~ Have your fireplace inspected before its initial use - and continue to have it serviced on a regular basis by a qualified service company.
  ~ Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions before operating the fireplace for the first time.
  ~ Check the manufacturer's instructions before adding or modifying a mantle or surround.
  ~ Keep children and combustibles safely away from any heating product. When in doubt, check the manufacturer's requirements, clearances and recommendations.
  

  Glossary of common terms

  
  
  

  BTU (British Thermal Unit)

  - The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of fresh water one degree Fahrenheit.

  Burner

  - The essential part of a gas appliance where air and gas combine before the combustion phase.
  
  

  B Vent

  - Double-walled, galvanized metal outer pipe with an aluminum inner pipe. Used for natural vent gas appliances, and must terminate vertically.
  
  

  Ceramic Fiber

  - A material used to make gas logs and fireplace accessories; it is able to withstand very high temperatures.
  
  

  Damper

  - A valve, usually a moveable metal plate, for controlling flow of air or smoky by-products of combustion.
  
  

  Direct Vent

  - A sealed heating system, whereby all combustion air is supplied from outside the building, and all flue gases are returned to the outside. May terminate horizontally.

  Emissions

  - Smoke, creosote and other by-products of combustion.

  Freestanding Stove

  - Heating appliances that are self-contained, normally on legs.

  Fireplace

  - Any enclosure, open in the front, for burning fuel. Wood burning rated fireplaces may burn either solid fuel, or be fitted with gas logs or certain fireplace inserts. Gas fireplaces contain a burner apparatus and artificial logs.

  Fireplace Insert

  - Appliance designed to be installed, partially or fully, into the firebox of an existing masonry or factory-built fireplace, and which must be vented.
  
  

  Gas Logs

  - Used in a fireplace to take the place of wood, consisting of a burner and log assembly.
  
  

  LP

  - Liquid Petroleum fuel, also called propane.
  
  

  Millivolt

  - Unit of electricity (equal to one-thousandth of a volt of direct current) that, in conjunction with the pilot flame, operates the valve on certain gas appliances.
  
  

  Natural Vent

  see B Vent
  
  

  ODS (Oxygen Depletion Safety Valve)

  - A device used with all vent-free stoves, fireplaces and logs that shuts the unit down if the oxygen level in the room falls below 18%. ANSI indoor air standards require a minimum oxygen level of 15% for safety reasons.
  
  

  Pilot

  - A small flame used to ignite gas at the main burner. May be standing (constant) or intermittent (usually requires electricity.)
  
  

  Propane

  - LP fuel
  
  

  Vent-free Heater/Fireplace

  - A gas appliance that does not require a flue system (chimney or vent.)
  
  

  Zero Clearance

  - A term often used to generically describe most factory-built fireplaces. It refers to a quality of the fireplace whereby enough insulation is incorporated so that the base, back and sides can be safely placed in direct contact with combustible floors and walls.

  Go on - enjoy your home and stop worrying about the cold!
  Gas heating products are a wise choice, and an enjoyable investment. electrical tools, and other sources as well.

  Gas Barbecue Tips

  • Check hoses regularly and replace them as soon as you spot cracks or wear. Rodents are easily attracted to the smell of grease drippings on fuel lines, and will chew holes in them. Use of a rodent guard is recommended on the hose of your gas grill. Reveal leaks by applying soapy water to all connections and possible cracks - where there are bubbles, there are leaks
  • If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the gas right away and get the appliance checked by Maple Glen Mechanical personnel or other competent gas technician.
  • Store spare cylinders outside but not below ground level.
  • Lock gas cylinders well away from children.