Hot Topics     Home and Family    

Prioritize home heating safety this fall and winter



Property owners advised to put safety first and utilize assistance program opportunities

Prioritize home heating safety this fall and winter


The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today advised homeowners and landlords to put safety first when preparing for home heating needs this fall and winter. DEC reminded property owners to avoid connecting occupied buildings to wells producing natural gas because doing so can be dangerous and potentially deadly. 


DEC also encouraged property owners who use oil for heat to inspect fuel storage tanks for potential leaks or spills before receiving shipments of fuel oil for the upcoming heating season. In addition, with the expectation of rising supply and delivery costs, DEC urged residents to take steps now to utilize programs designed to save consumers energy and money.

 

“New Yorkers are encouraged to plan ahead and prepare to ensure a safe and warm home this winter season,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “Property owners using oil for heat should inspect fuel storage tanks for leaks and spills before receiving shipments for the heating season and be extra cautious if connecting to a home-use well. Annual inspections and simple precautions can help prevent leaks and spills and protect people, property, and the environment.”   

 

Natural Gas Safety

Natural gas produced by a gas or oil well is odorless and difficult or impossible for a person to detect. While the primary component of natural gas is methane, gases like propane and butane may also be present in addition to water, because the gas is raw and untreated. This may result in improper and erratic combustion in appliances. The risk of an explosion due to natural gas build-up in a home is substantially greater if that gas is not provided by a utility. 


READ MORE: Upgrade your home, downgrade energy usage

 

If a home-use well is connected to a house or other structure:

  1. Contact a plumber licensed to work on gas lines and have the fuel source switched to utility natural gas or consider another fuel or heating appliance;

  2. Natural gas directly from a well is odorless and colorless, meaning it may build up to explosive levels without detection. Install methane detection alarms in any closed space where methane may accumulate;

  3. Commercial gas suppliers always add the odorant mercaptan to natural gas before it is delivered for use. Consider adding mercaptan to natural gas from a home use well so that it can be more easily detected; and

  4. Contact DEC if the well is not registered in DEC’s database. Owning and operating an oil or gas well comes with regulatory responsibilities aimed at protecting the environment. New York is actively plugging oil and gas wells throughout the state for which there is no registered operator.

For questions and additional information about “home-use wells,” contact DEC at (518) 402-8056 or oilgas@dec.ny.gov. Also, visit DEC’s website for photos and additional details.

 

Fuel Oil Safety

DEC also reminds home and property owners to inspect heating fuel oil storage tanks for leaks or spills before ordering and receiving fuel oil.

 

Annual inspections can prevent leaks and spills and protect property, public health, and the environment. Homeowners are advised to look for the following concerns and contact their fuel oil service provider if they see any of the items from the lists below.

 

For above-ground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for:

  1. Bent, rusty, or wobbly tank legs or tank located on an unstable foundation;
  2. Signs of rust, weeps, wet spots, or many dents on the tank's surface;
  3. Drips or any signs of leaks around the oil filter or valves;
  4. Fuel oil lines not covered in a protective casing - even if under concrete;
  5. Overhanging eaves where snow and ice could fall onto the tank;
  6. Stains on the ground or strong oil odor around the tank;
  7. Browning, dying, or loss of vegetation around the tank;
  8. Silent overfill whistle while tank is being filled - ask fuel delivery person;
  9. Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests;
  10. Signs of spills around fill pipe or vent pipe;
  11. Improperly sized vent pipes - ask fuel delivery person; and
  12. Cracked, stuck, or frozen fuel level gauges or signs of fuel around them.

For underground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for:

  1. Water in the tank - ask fuel delivery person to check;
  2. Oil or oil sheen in your basement sump or French drain;
  3. Silent overfill whistle while tank is being filled - ask fuel delivery person;
  4. Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests;
  5. Signs of spills around fill pipe or vent pipe;
  6. Well water has strange tastes or smells;
  7. Complaints from neighbors of fuel oil smells; and
  8. Using more than normal amount of fuel.

DEC offers tips on environmentally friendly home heating safety and a checklist covering many issues for home heating oil tanks in this month’s Living the Green Life webpage, offering both prevention and response guidance about fuel spills. Fuel oil spills or leaks should be reported to the DEC Spills Hotline at 1-800-457-7362. For more information on home heating oil tank stewardship, visit the Underground Heating Oil Tanks: A Homeowner's Guide webpage on DEC's website. 


Help for Homeowners

New Yorkers can take the following steps in their homes to help protect against higher energy costs, including:



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Tips to help students be better writers

    Writing and communication skills are essential to success

    No matter students' chosen career paths, writing and communication skills are essential to success. Whether a student identifies as a “math kid,” a “sports kid,” or even a “reading kid,” writing doesn’t always come naturally read more »
  • Safe sharps disposal

    Keeping students healthy at school

    Back to school can be overwhelming for students and families. With new classes, new friends and sometimes new schools, students have a lot to balance. Additionally, changing routine can be challenging for students managing health conditions, including allergies, diabetes and others that require using and safely disposing of needles, syringes, or epinephrine autoinjectors at school. read more »
  • Smart starts for a healthy heart

    Improve hydration, skip added sugars with better-for-you beverages

    How you start your morning can impact the rest of your day. If you want to incorporate healthier choices into your morning routine, try a concept known as “habit stacking.” read more »
  • Debunking 5 common myths about root canal treatment

    If you’ve been told you need a root canal, you may be dreading the procedure or even trying to find a way out of it. The good news? Today’s root canal treatment is nothing like the myths you may see circulating the internet, which are misinformed and simply false. read more »
  • Celebrate your 4-legged friend

    3 ways to give back during National Dog Month

    While most dog owners need little reason to celebrate their furry family members, National Dog Month provides a perfect opportunity to show pets a little extra love. read more »
  • What you (and your child) should know for kindergarten

    6 habits to start right now

    Starting kindergarten is a major milestone that sets the stage for future learning. Ensuring children are well-equipped to enter kindergarten sets them up for a successful school year in the short term and an academic career in the long term. read more »
  • Smooth transition

    3 tips to prepare for the new school year

    Whether your child is starting school for the first time or simply returning to a new grade level, preparations for the school year can feel overwhelming for both students and parents. read more »
  • Top reasons to consider a steel roof for your home

    Steel offers many features that align with sustainable living

    Steel is increasingly becoming the go-to material used for residential roofing. According to industry experts, steel offers a range of design advantages and features that align with sustainable living. read more »
  • 6 steps to help teens plan financially for the future

    It’s never too early to start saving

    For teenagers, retirement may seem like a lifetime away, but it’s never too early to start saving for the future. Because financial habits can be created at a young age, the sooner kids begin to save and learn about investing, the less likely they’ll face worries about money when they eventually stop working. read more »
  • Safety and scam prevention tips for students heading back to campus

    Prevent identity theft and other safety risks

    As many students begin heading to college, vocational or graduate school programs, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is sharing targeted scam prevention tips that can help students start the new academic year safely. read more »