Natural gas is a colorless and odorless fuel. We maintain a constant, reliable supply to meet your heating, air conditioning, cooking, clothes drying and water heating needs. Our natural gas is produced from abundant domestic sources and is not vulnerable to supply disruptions by foreign governments.
Natural gas is also a very safe fuel. But, like other products in your home, it can be hazardous if misused. We give natural gas a distinct odor for your safety. If you smell gas, call us immediately. We will respond to all emergency requests at no charge.
On occasion, we enclose a scratch and sniff insert with your utility bill so you and your family can recognize the odor added to natural gas. If you would like to learn more about natural gas or have questions about its safe use, we would be glad to tell you more.
Keep all of your natural gas appliances and equipment clean and properly maintained to help ensure safe operation. A trained Great Plains service representative can assist you in this effort. Just call us to schedule a visit to your home. There is a charge for this service.
Why does natural gas smell so bad?
Actually natural gas doesn’t smell at all so, for safety’s sake, we make it smell. Natural gas is both colorless and odorless making it undetectable to our senses. Companies like Great Plains odorize gas using Mercaptan, a highly recognizable substance.
Mercaptan is introduced into the gas stream as it flows through our pipes. It is detectable in concentrations as low as two parts per billion. It burns along with the natural gas in your furnace, water heater and other gas appliances. Each year, we include a "scratch and sniff" bill insert to remind you of what Mercaptan smells like.
If you smell natural gas inside your home, go to a neighbor’s phone and call your heating contractor or Great Plains right away because, like all fuels, natural gas is highly flammable. Make sure you do not turn any electric appliances on or off including your telephone.
Play It Safe with Natural Gas Appliances
Flammable vapors are heavier than air and can travel a long way on the floor. They can even be carried to other rooms by air currents. If precautionary measures are not taken, vapors from flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene and solvents can explode and catch fire causing severe burns or death. The vapors can be ignited by any open flame or by the flip of an electric switch.
Because of this danger, the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) urges owners of appliances such as furnaces, water heaters and clothes dryers that have standing pilot lights to be careful where dangerous liquids are stored. To prevent accidental ignition, GAMA recommends not to use or store flammable products in the same room or area where natural gas appliances are located. Homeowners are also encouraged to keep flammable products in approved containers, tightly closed and out of children's reach.
Why Your Monthly Bills Vary
There are many reasons why your utility bill may vary from month to month. Here are some examples:
Weather: Cold, windy weather forces your furnace to provide more heat to keep your home comfortable. Likewise, hot, humid summers cause your air conditioner to use more energy to cool your home.
Longer Nights: Winter months bring shorter days and longer nights, which mean you’ll have more indoor activity and use more energy.
Change in Life style: House guests, illness, new baby, and so on can mean more showers, more laundry and more cooking. Each increases energy use, even if only for a short time.
Vacations: Your home will probably use less energy when you’re away. Remember your furnace and other appliances continue to operate (and use energy) while you are gone.
Appliances: Adding appliances or appliances that need cleaning or repair usually use more energy.
Number of Billing Days: Your billing days may vary. The more days you’ve used energy, the higher your bill will be. Your utility bill tells you how many days your bill covers.
Starting and Stopping Service
We try to make it as convenient as possible for you to begin or end natural gas service. Here are some tips that will make it easier:
- Contact your local Great Plains office and let us know the date you want service to start or stop. Please contact us as far in advance as possible.
- We might need access to your home to start or stop service. We'll make those arrangements when you contact us.
- We don't require deposits from customers who have established good credit. But, we pay interest on a deposit when one is required. The deposit will be returned to you after 12 months if you have established a prompt payment record.
- If you request that we start or stop service during working hours, there is no charge, provided that this service has not been previously requested within the past year. Outside of working hours, however, there is a charge for this service.
- If you're interested in establishing natural gas service to a home or other building which does not already have service, you should contact your local Great Plains office.
How You Buy Energy
It's our job to bring natural gas to your meter, but you are responsible for how it is used inside your home. You do have control over your bill. By being aware of how you use energy, and by eliminating waste, you may be able to reduce your bill, or at least keep it from increasing as quickly as it might otherwise.
Your natural gas meter measures the volume of gas you use each billing period. Your bill shows the difference between your meter's present and previous readings in units called "Mcf" (an Mcf is one thousand cubic feet). Since the energy content of an Mcf of natural gas varies throughout our service area, we convert the volume of gas you use to energy units called "decatherms" (a decatherm, or dk, equals one million British thermal units of energy). By doing this, we ensure you are billed for the amount of energy you used based on the energy content of natural gas for your locality. You pay neither more nor less than your fair share.
Meters: Your natural gas meter measures how much energy you use. Meters are accurate instruments and care must be taken to ensure they are not damaged. Tampering with a utility meter is not only a criminal offense, but it's dangerous too.
Your meter is read about the same date every month. If we are unable to read your meter because of extreme weather conditions, or if the meter is inside and we cannot gain access, we may have to estimate usage on your bill that month. Any difference between our estimate and your actual usage will be corrected automatically the next time your meter is read. After your meter is read, your bill is figured according to the rates that have been approved by the Public Service Commission or the Public Utilities Commission of your state.
