As a powerful winter weather system bears down on the region, Atmos Energy is taking decisive action to safeguard its customers and maintain reliable natural gas service during what forecasters predict will be an extended period of extreme cold. The utility giant has issued an urgent advisory calling on residents and business owners to implement critical safety measures and energy conservation practices before the worst conditions arrive.
The company's operational teams are working around the clock, monitoring weather patterns and strategically positioning field technicians across their entire service territory. This proactive deployment ensures rapid response capabilities should any infrastructure issues emerge during the freeze. Atmos Energy's integrated approach combines technology, manpower, and customer education to create a robust defense against winter's challenges.
Communication remains a cornerstone of emergency preparedness. Customers are strongly encouraged to enroll in the company's text alert system, which delivers immediate notifications about service issues, safety warnings, and restoration updates. Additionally, following Atmos Energy's verified social media accounts provides real-time information, while their official website serves as a comprehensive hub for storm-related resources. These multiple communication pathways ensure customers receive critical information through at least one channel, even if power outages affect internet or phone services.
Understanding the Economics of Winter Heating
When temperatures plunge, heating systems operate continuously, consuming substantially more natural gas than during milder periods. Despite natural gas remains significantly more economical than electricity—typically costing about one-third as much per unit of energy—the sheer volume required during extreme cold translates to higher monthly bills. This seasonal cost increase is a normal, expected consequence of maintaining safe, warm indoor environments when outdoor temperatures drop below freezing for days or weeks.
Atmos Energy stresses that understanding this relationship helps customers avoid bill shock and plan their winter budgets more effectively. The company also notes that energy efficiency measures can partially offset these increases, making their safety tips doubly valuable—they protect both your wallet and your wellbeing.
Comprehensive Safety and Energy Conservation Guidelines
The utility has developed an extensive set of recommendations covering everything from equipment maintenance to emergency response:
1. Conduct Annual Inspections of Gas Piping and Appliances
Property owners bear legal and financial responsibility for all natural gas infrastructure on their side of the meter. This includes buried lines, interior piping, and connections to appliances. Scheduling yearly professional inspections helps detect corrosion, leaks, or pressure issues before they escalate into dangerous situations. Qualified technicians can also verify that appliances operate at peak efficiency, reducing both gas consumption and safety risks.
2. Never Use Ovens or Stovetops for Space Heating
This dangerous practice introduces multiple hazards into your home. Gas ovens and cooktops lack the safety controls and ventilation systems designed for continuous operation. They can produce lethal levels of carbon monoxide poisoning—a colorless, odorless gas that can cause serious illness or death within hours. Additionally, unattended heating elements create significant fire risks. Always rely on central heating systems or approved space heaters, never kitchen appliances.
3. Implement Strategic Thermostat Management
Maintaining indoor temperatures at 68 degrees during waking hours provides comfort while minimizing energy waste. When sleeping or away from home, lowering thermostats to 58 degrees reduces consumption significantly. Modern programmable thermostats can automate these adjustments, while smart models learn your schedule and optimize settings automatically. Each degree of reduction can save approximately 3% on heating costs.
4. Minimize Hot Water Usage
Water heating represents up to 40% of home energy consumption in many households. Shortening showers to five minutes, washing clothes in cold water, and only running dishwashers with full loads can substantially reduce gas usage. Installing low-flow fixtures and insulating water heater tanks and pipes further improves efficiency. These small behavioral changes compound into meaningful savings over a month-long cold snap.
5. Seal Fireplace Dampers and Air Leaks
An open damper is equivalent to leaving a 48-inch window wide open, allowing heated air to escape continuously. Ensure dampers close completely and seal them with inflatable chimney balloons for added insulation. Additionally, check for drafts around windows, doors, and electrical outlets, sealing gaps with caulk, weatherstripping, or spray foam. These air-sealing measures can reduce heating costs by 10-20%.
6. Gently Remove Snow and Ice from Gas Meters
Heavy snow accumulation can crack meter fittings or block ventilation openings, creating leak hazards. Use a soft-bristled broom or brush to carefully clear meters and regulators. Never use metal shovels, ice picks, or other hard tools that could damage components. Also, maintain a clear path to your meter for emergency access. Report any visible damage or suspected leaks immediately to the 24-hour emergency line at 866-322-8667.
7. Keep All Exterior Vents Clear and Functional
Blocked vents for dryers, furnaces, water heaters, and other gas appliances force exhaust gases—including carbon monoxide—back into living spaces. After each snowfall, inspect and clear these vents using a broom or by hand. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home, testing them monthly and replacing batteries twice yearly. This dual approach of prevention and detection saves lives.
8. Protect Plumbing from Freezing Temperatures
Frozen pipes can burst, causing thousands of dollars in water damage. During extreme cold, let faucets drip slowly to maintain water movement. Open cabinet doors beneath sinks to allow warm air circulation around pipes. Keep garage doors closed if water lines run through the space. For pipes in unheated areas, consider installing UL-listed heat tape. Never set thermostats below 55 degrees, even when away, to prevent freeze-ups.
The Atmos Energy Storm Center website provides expanded guidance, video tutorials, and downloadable checklists to help customers prepare for various emergency scenarios.
Emergency Response Procedures
While natural gas service is remarkably reliable due to underground infrastructure protection, outages can occur from supply disruptions, transmission issues, or localized damage. Customers experiencing complete loss of service, unusually low pressure, or pilot lights that won't stay lit should call Atmos Energy's dedicated emergency line at 866-322-8667. The line operates 24/7/365 with trained operators who can dispatch technicians, provide safety instructions, and estimate restoration times.
The company's emergency response protocol prioritizes life safety, then critical facilities like hospitals, followed by residential and commercial customers. This systematic approach ensures the most vulnerable receive assistance first.
Gas Leak Recognition and Response
Atmos Energy reinforces the critical safety mantra: "Smell gas, act fast." Natural gas is naturally odorless, but utilities add mercaptan—a chemical that smells like rotten eggs—to enable leak detection. Other signs include hissing sounds near gas lines, dead vegetation above buried pipes, or blowing dirt around meters.
If you suspect a leak:
- Evacuate everyone from the area immediately, leaving doors open as you exit
- Move upwind to a safe distance at least 300 feet away
- Call 911 from a neighbor's phone or cell phone away from the building
- Contact Atmos Energy's emergency line at 866-322-8667
Never attempt repairs, and avoid creating ignition sources: don't flip switches, use phones, start vehicles, or light matches near the suspected leak. Your immediate evacuation is the only safe response.
Final Thoughts
Winter weather preparedness requires both individual action and community awareness. Share these safety tips with neighbors, especially elderly residents who may need assistance inspecting their homes or clearing meters. By working together and following Atmos Energy's expert guidance, we can all stay safe, warm, and energy-efficient throughout the coldest months. Remember: preparation today prevents emergencies tomorrow.