SEMCO ENERGY GAS COMPANY maintains all gas and service lines that connect our gas distribution system to your meter.
You are responsible for "customer-owned lines," or the lines between the meter and your appliance. This includes underground lines on your property to yard lights, pool and spa heaters, garages, workshops and similar areas. Please make it a routine to have all gas lines checked for leaks or corrosion. Here are some signs to look for when you suspect a leak:
Blowing or hissing sounds
Brown patches of vegetation on or near a right-of-way
Bubbling water at a pond, creek or river
Gas odor
Dry spot in moist earth
If you suspect a hazard, leave the area and call SEMCO ENERGY immediately at 1-888-GAS-1-GAS (1-888-427-1427). A trained technician will check the line and shut off your gas supply, if a safety hazard exists.
SEMCO ENERGY technicians do not perform repair service on customer-owned lines. After you have a qualified heating or plumbing contractor make the necessary repairs to your customer-owned lines, a SEMCO ENERGY technician will restore your gas service.
Home Service USA, an independent company separate from SEMCO ENERGY, is available to help you in the event you need customer-owned gas piping, HVAC or water heating service repairs. Call Home Service at 1-888-300-5039 to sign up for service repair protection on your natural gas furnace, hot water heater, electric air conditioner or gas piping. The monthly fee charged by Home Service will be applied to your SEMCO ENERGY bill. If you currently have Home Service appliance protection and need repair, please call 1-888-300-5064.
Natural gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless. To help you recognize the presence of natural gas, an odor similar to rotten eggs is added.
Natural gas is lighter than air, rises quickly and disperses harmlessly in open areas. However, in an enclosed area, natural gas displaces air at ceiling level and fills the room from the ceiling down. As gas fills an enclosed space, it displaces air and suffocation may occur.
Natural gas is not Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Liquefied petroleum gases, such as propane, are heavier than air and, unlike natural gas, will collect in low places.
Natural gas is not toxic or poisonous.
Natural gas cannot burn without oxygen. For natural gas to burn, it must be mixed with air and must have an ignition source, such as a pilot light or electric arc from a light switch, electric motor, doorbell or telephone.
Burning natural gas will not explode. In many cases, it is better to let the natural gas burn than to extinguish the fire. If the fire is extinguished prior to stopping the flow of gas, the gas has the potential to build up to an explosive level.
