Water Heater & Appliance Safety
Pay Attention and Maintain Equipment Properly
Call UGI at 800-276-2722 from a safe location immediately if you smell or hear natural gas.
Remember, there is no charge to respond to and investigate a natural gas odor.
Whether you’re a natural gas or electric customer with UGI, you can make the most of energy convenience and comfort by following these common sense guidelines.
Select Safe Water Heaters and Appliances:
Customers interested in buying a natural gas water heater, or any natural gas appliance, should always:
- Buy from reputable manufacturers and sellers.
- Look for certification by a nationally recognized testing lab.
- Have the appliance installed, inspected, and regularly serviced by trained and licensed contractors.
- Make sure that installation is done in compliance with local building and industry codes, including proper ventilation.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home.
Water Heater Temperature Safety:
Ensuring your family’s safety at home is a priority for all of us. Setting your water heater to the proper temperature is one way to ensure your family’s safety. Your water heater should be turned down from 150°F to 120°F for safety and energy efficiency purposes. The chart below shows the impact of improperly set water heater temperatures.
| Temperature of the Water | Time to Cause a Bad Burn |
|---|---|
| 150°F | 2 seconds |
| 140°F | 6 seconds |
| 125°F | 2 minutes |
| 120°F | 10 minutes |
Appliance Safety:
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding care and operation.
- Equipment should be installed, repaired, and regularly serviced by an experienced professional.
- A gas flame should be primarily blue. If it is yellow or orange, turn off the equipment and call for service (gas fireplaces are an exception).
- Always make sure there is no gas buildup around a pilot or burner before relighting it.
- Keep the flues of your gas appliances clean and properly vented. If you installed a gas conversion burner in the past year, be alert for soot and buildup from the previous fuel. A buildup could block the flue and chimney base.
- Teach children to never turn on or light gas appliances.
- Keep trash and other flammable materials away from natural gas appliances.
- If you own an old gas appliance, you should have the appliance connectors checked by a qualified plumber, HVAC or appliance repair contractor. Do not attempt to move appliances to check the connectors yourself.
Tankless Water Heater Alert
Customers may find budget-priced natural gas tankless water heaters available for sale on various e-commerce websites. Some of these models are unsafe for indoor installation and may come with unclear, incomplete, or incorrect installation and operating instructions. Improper installation and use of these models could cause a natural gas leak, fire, or exposure to carbon monoxide.