DEC urges home heating safety this winter
Oct. 17—The state Department of Environmental Conservation has advised property owners to prioritize safety when preparing for home heating needs this fall and winter.
Connecting occupied buildings to wells producing natural gas is dangerous and potentially deadly, according to a news release. DEC also encouraged property owners to inspect fuel storage tanks for potential leaks or spills prior to receiving shipments of fuel oil for the upcoming heating season.
"Planning ahead for the winter season will help save New Yorkers time, money and potential headaches later on when it comes to home heating," DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said in a statement. "Annual inspections and other simple precautions can prevent leaks and spills and ensure people, property and the environment are protected."
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 be present in addition to water, because the gas is raw and untreated.
If a home-use well is connected to a house or other structure:
* 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.
* 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.
* 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 it can be more easily detected.
* Contact DEC if the well is not registered in DEC's database. New York is actively plugging oil and gas wells throughout the state and home wells may be eligible for the state's program.
For questions and additional information about home-use wells, contact DEC at (518) 402-8056 or .
Fuel oil safety
Annual inspections of heating fuel oil storage tanks can prevent leaks and spills and protect property, public health and the environment.
For above-ground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for:
* Bent, rusty, or wobbly tank legs or tank located on an unstable foundation
* Signs of rust, weeps, wet spots, or many dents on the tank's surface
* Drips or any signs of leaks around the oil filter or valves
* Fuel oil lines not covered in a protective casing — even if under concrete
* Overhanging eaves where snow and ice could fall onto the tank
* Stains on the ground or strong oil odor around the tank
* Browning, dying, or loss of vegetation around the tank
* Silent overfill whistle while tank is being filled — ask fuel delivery person
* Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests
* Signs of spills around fill pipe or vent pipe
* Improperly sized vent pipes — ask fuel delivery person
* Cracked, stuck, or frozen fuel level gauges or signs of fuel around them
For underground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for:
* Water in the tank — ask fuel delivery person to check
* Oil or oil sheen in your basement sump or French drain
* Silent overfill whistle while tank is being filled — ask fuel delivery person
* Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice or insect nests
* Signs of spills around fill pipe or vent pipe
* Well water has strange tastes or smells
* Complaints from neighbors of fuel oil smells
* Using more than normal amount of fuel
Fuel oil spills or leaks should be reported to the DEC Spills Hotline at 1-800-457-7362.
New Yorkers can take the following steps in their homes to help improve safety and protect against higher energy costs.
* 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
* Contact DEC's regional offices to be added to an oil and gas well-plugging priority list
* Get a free energy audit
* Join a Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign
* Know your rights and protections regarding utility services
* Consider bill payment options, among other steps
DEC is interested in reaching interested landowners to participate in a voluntary oil and gas well plugging program using more than $50 million in state and federal funding.
Landowners who suspect an orphaned well may be located on their property should review the information on DEC's website: Finding and Identifying Oil and Gas Wells. Landowners will also find contact information for DEC's regional offices to report the well for placement on DEC's well plugging priority list.
