Natural gas is a reliable energy source, however care still needs to be taken when handling it.
Since natural gas has no odour, a strong odour that smells like rotten eggs is added so you can detect it. If you smell this, call our gas faults and emergencies line and take the following actions
If you smell gas inside your home:
Open nearby doors and windows for ventilation.
Evacuate the area and turn off the gas supply (if safe to do so).
Do not use a source of ignition such as matches or cigarette lighters.
If you smell gas outside the home:
Remove all ignition sources from the area.
If safe to do so, turn off the gas supply.
Your natural gas supply can be shut off by turning the yellow valve lever on your meter so it runs perpendicular to the pipe. Once this is done, you should stay at least 10 metres away.
Use gas appliances safely
Make sure gas appliances have ventilation around them.
Never store or use flammable chemicals (including aerosols) near an operating appliance.
Keep flammable materials, such as paper or clothing, away from an appliance that is turned on.
Do not tamper with safety valves or similar fittings on your appliances and do not use force to open taps.
Keep a gas oven and hot plates clean and do not allow fat and burned food to build up.
Turn gas heaters off when you leave the house or go to sleep.
Installing gas appliances
Our natural gas is produced, piped, and delivered using rigorous environmental and safety standards. The safety and integrity of a customer's natural gas installation (beyond the meter) is the responsibility of the customer. You must:
Use a licenced gas fitter to carry out work on your natural gas installation.
After the installation the fitter should provide you with a certificate of compliance and lodge a copy with the relevant local inspection authority (Access Canberra in the ACT, and Jemena in NSW).
If any underground work needs to take place, check with Before You Dig Australia first.
Report any leaks or potential hazards to Evoenergy by calling 13 19 09 as soon as possible.
Maintaining gas appliances
Each year, arrange for a qualified gas appliance service technician or gas fitter to replace or service the appliance and retain a written report of the work undertaken. If you are renting, you may need to contact your landlord to have this check undertaken.
Keep all natural gas appliances clean, ventilated, and free from obstructions.
Check that there is no evidence of the burner creating soot deposits (look for signs of discolouration on and around the appliance).
If there is a gas hot water heater in your bathroom, disconnect the exhaust fan within the bathroom (when operating, these fans can cause flue gases to re-enter the bathroom).