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Gas, carbon monoxide and electrical safety

If you smell gas

If you smell gas, leave the area right away, warn others, and from a safe place call 911 and Enbridge Gas Utah at 1-800-767-1689. Do not turn gas valves on or off, do not use switches, phones or anything that can spark near the leak, and do not start vehicles nearby. Gas leaks cannot be reported online. (Source: Enbridge Gas)

Enbridge Gas Utah is the main gas utility in Utah, but the state lists other gas utilities too. If your bill comes from a different gas company, use its emergency number, and always call 911. (Source: Utah Division of Public Utilities)

Warning signs listed by Enbridge Gas include a rotten egg smell; a hissing, whistling or roaring sound near a gas appliance or pipeline; and dead vegetation near a pipeline. (Source: Enbridge Gas)

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless. Gas and oil furnaces can produce it. Common symptoms are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion, often described as flu-like. The CDC says to have the heating system serviced by a qualified technician every year. (Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

If you think someone has CO poisoning, get to fresh air right away and go to an emergency room; tell the doctor you suspect CO. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The EPA recommends CO alarms on every level of the home, at least 15 feet from fuel-burning appliances, tested monthly. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Refrigerant and electrical

Federal rules require anyone who adds or removes refrigerant, or attaches gauges to an AC or heat pump, to hold EPA Section 608 certification, and refrigerant for home AC and heat pumps can only be sold to certified technicians. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

AC capacitors store electric energy and can shock you. Angi advises against DIY capacitor replacement without electrical training and safety gear. (Source: Angi)

What is safe to do yourself

• Check thermostat settings and batteries.
• ENERGY STAR says to check the air filter every month, change it if it looks dirty, and change it at least every 3 months. A dirty filter slows airflow, makes the system work harder and can lead to early failure. (Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA))
• Keep plants and debris away from the outdoor unit.

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