GASTONIA, N.C. (Oct. 16, 2023) – As crisp autumn temperatures make their way to North Carolina, Dominion Energy is highlighting five safety considerations for a safe and efficient heating season with natural gas.  

“Safety is our top priority, and we want our customers to also have safety top of mind as well,” said Rusty Harris, Vice President & General Manager of Dominion Energy’s natural gas business in North Carolina. “Natural gas use typically increases this time of year, and some preventative steps can help customers be safe and increase the operating efficiency of their appliances.” 

Highly trained personnel work every day to operate and maintain a safe natural gas system in accordance with regulations. Likewise, customers are encouraged to take steps to ensure their safety by maintaining their indoor piping and operating their appliances according to manufacturer’s guidelines.  

1. Inspect and service appliances. Have appliances routinely inspected and serviced by a licensed contractor to ensure they’re in proper working order. That includes water heaters, fireplaces, stoves, and having indoor pipes tested for leaks. Dominion Energy’s operating responsibility ends at the meter.  
2. Know the signs of a gas leak. Natural gas has an added odorant that smells like rotten eggs to make it detectable. If the rotten egg odor is suspected, please leave the area, go outside immediately and call 911 and Dominion Energy at 1-877-776-2427. Another sign of a gas leak is a hissing or whistling sound near a gas appliance or gas line.  
3. Always call before you dig. If a home improvement project involves digging, call 811 toll-free three full business days before beginning the project, and a Dominion Energy technician will mark the location of its gas lines so they can be avoided when digging.  
4. Clear the meter area. The meter area should be clear for the safety of the residents and Dominion Energy employees. Trash, debris and vegetation should not obstruct the meter area.  
5. Keep flammables away. Never store paint, gasoline cans or cleaning supplies near gas appliances. Similarly, keep space around the water heater or furnace debris-free to allow for proper ventilation.  

Dominion Energy sends critical safety information annually in the mail or in a bill to those who live 1,000 feet from the company’s infrastructure whether they are customers or not. Dominion Energy encourages customers to take time to review the material every year.

Visit dominionenergy.com/safety/natural-gas-safety for more safety information about natural gas. 

About Dominion Energy 

About 7 million customers in 15 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to safely providing reliable, affordable and sustainable energy and to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more. 

Media Contact:  

Persida Montanez, 919-819-1325 persida.montanez@dominionenergy.com