Property Owners Advised to Put Safety First and Utilize
Assistance Program Opportunities
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.
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:
·
apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program, with
applications starting on Nov. 1;
·
be more energy efficient to lower energy usage;
·
receive a customized
list of energy-related assistance in the State;
·
sign up for Community Solar;
·
get a free energy audit;
·
join a Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign;
·
know your rights and protections regarding
utility services; and
·
consider bill payment options, among
other steps.
Photo Courtesy of
NYSDEC: Oil spill from home heating tank.
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