There are several indicators of natural gas leaks:

• Smell—Recognizing the odor, which is similar to rotten eggs.
• Sight—Seeing a white cloud, mist, fog and bubbles in standing water or blowing dust.
• Sound—Hearing an unusual noise like roaring, hissing or whistling.

If you think you smell, see or hear a leak:

• Turn off and abandon any motorized equipment and move to a safe location.
• Immediately leave the area in an upwind direction.
• Call National Fuel’s 24/7 emergency response number: 1-800-444-3130.
• NOTE: If you believe that an elevated response is required due to the scope or size of the incident, call 911 and relay this information when you notify National Fuel.
• Warn others and form a safe perimeter. Evacuate surrounding structures as needed.
• Avoid creating sparks or sources of heat which could cause gas to ignite and burn. Do not light a match, start an engine, use a phone or light flares.
• Avoid driving into the suspected leak area.
• Avoid direct contact with escaping gas because physical injury can occur.

In the winter, please keep the area around the meter free of snow and ice and try to have a clear path to the meter for easy access. Call us if the meter becomes encased in ice. DO NOT try to melt or break the ice yourself.

Remember to use caution when shoveling, plowing or snow blowing around the meter.

Be careful when removing icicles from the meter and any area of your roof above the meter.

Keep shrubbery away from the meter for easier access and do not lean tools against the meter.

Do not let children play or climb on the meter.

We make every effort to read our meters once every other month on or around the date indicated on your bill. Whenever we are unable to gain access to read the meter, we will leave a door hanger that provides you with the number for our automated meter reading reporting system.

See how to submit a meter reading.

If circumstances beyond our control prevent the meter reader from obtaining a reading at the premises, you will be rendered an estimated bill. These bills are calculated in accordance with an established formula that has been approved by the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) and takes into account several factors (such as past usage and current weather conditions). If we become aware that your gas usage was underbilled as a result of low estimates or other factors, we have six months to correct the discrepancy and provide you with a revised bill. If we find that the revised bill was excessive, we will revise it and issue a new bill within two months.

Your home will have either a dial meter or a numeric meter.

For dial meters—When the pointer on the dial is between two numbers, always record the lower number. In the illustration, the first dial on the left registers 4, the second 5, the third 4 and the fourth 6. The correct reading is 4546 hundred cubic feet (ccf).

For numeric meter—For numeric meters, record the numbers as shown. The correct reading for this meter is also 4546 hundred cubic feet (ccf).