Nicor Gas provides safety, energy efficiency tips during Winter Storm Landon
Even during the heavy snowfall and icy road conditions much of the Midwest is experiencing, Nicor Gas employees are on the front lines ensuring customers continue to receive the safe and reliable natural gas service they need to stay warm and safe.
Nicor Gas employees are equipped with the safety training, tools and resources needed so they can effectively respond to any potential situation. The company also continues to provide important safety tips for cold weather that customers can follow too:
• Heavy snow and ice may weigh down power lines and tree limbs, causing them to fall. If a natural gas meter is damaged or an underground gas line is exposed, immediately leave the area and call 911 or Nicor Gas' 24-hour emergency response line 888.Nicor4U (642.6748) from a safe location.
• Exercise caution removing snow or ice from your natural gas meter assembly. Use your hands or a broom, not a shovel, to brush away snow or ice from your meter and regulator. Never kick or hit your gas meter or its piping with a hammer or any hard object to break away built-up snow or ice.
• When inclement winter weather affects us, it is important to ensure that outdoor vent openings and air intakes are not obstructed by snow and ice to ensure safe, proper operation of natural gas appliances, such as a furnace or water heater, and to prevent the potentially hazardous buildup of carbon monoxide in your home.
Extreme weather operations is not new territory for the company. During the 2019 polar vortex's record-breaking subzero temperatures, Nicor Gas delivered more than 4.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas to its 2.2 million customers throughout Northern Illinois. That is the single largest delivery of natural gas in the company's history - surpassing previous records set during the 2014 polar vortex - and there were no major service outages during the weather event.
To learn more about Nicor Gas' commitment to providing clean, safe and reliable natural gas service to the more than 650 communities it serves across the state, as well as important safety tips during extreme weather, please visit NicorGas.com/AlwaysHere.
With the cold temperatures and more families spending time inside this winter, now is also a great time for customers to make small changes that can add up to big savings on their monthly bill:
• Regularly replace air and furnace filters; most filters should be cleaned or replaced every 60-90 days. A clean filter will allow the system to run more efficiently.
• Open window coverings during the day to allow sunlight to heat your home naturally, and close curtains at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
• Keep furniture, drapes, stuffed animals and other objects away from heating sources.
• Adjust timer controls and programmable thermostats. Some older thermostats may not have an internal clock and need to be adjusted manually.
For more ways to save, including a do-it-yourself home weatherization checklist, visit NicorGas.com/DIY.