Questar Gas reminds consumers to keep vents, meters free of snow

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Every winter in Utah, a threat arrives with the snowfall.

Whenever the white stuff starts piling up, there is the chance it might bury the exhaust vents to natural-gas furnaces. That could leave homeowners exposed to deadly carbon monoxide.

Questar Gas., the public utility that provides most Utahns with the natural gas used to keep their homes warm, said it is time once again for its customers to pay close attention to the level of snow around their furnace vents and natural gas meters.

"Some intake and exhaust vents are on roofs, but many are near ground level," said Darren Shepherd, spokesman for Questar Gas. "Regardless, it is important to keep vents completely unobstructed by ice and snow."

Statistically, the threat that someone might fall victim to carbon monoxide poisoning is slight, but it is real nevertheless.

The Utah Department of Health reported that between 2003 and 2007, about 1,030 Utahns went to emergency rooms because of carbon monoxide exposure. Of that number, 38 had to be hospitalized.

And a few Utahns were counted among the approximately 800 Americans who died during that four-year period from accidental exposure to the colorless, odorless gas.

Shepherd said blocked furnace vents are a particular problem in communities at higher elevations -- areas where snowfall often is heavy and the weather more extreme than at lower altitudes.

Home and business owners also need to keep the areas around their natural-gas meters free from snow.

"People shoveling their driveways, or using snowblowers or plows, often aren't as conscientious as they should be about where they put the snow," he said. "They might not think about the damage piling up snow around their meters can cause."

Allowing snow to accumulate around meters can cover the regulator vent, causing it to malfunction. Also the weight of the snow, and any freezing and thawing that may occur, could damage the piping, causing a natural-gas leak outside the home.

And keeping meters clear of snow and other obstacles also can help if the natural-gas flow to a home needs to be shut off quickly in the event of an emergency, he said.

Unified Fire Authority Capt. Clint Smith said calls from people worried about carbon monoxide poisoning typically increase during the winter months, possibly because they are more aware of the possibility.

"People should realize that when the wind blows, it can cause drifts to pile up around furnace vents," he said. "And it is important that people check those areas on a regular basis so they can stay safe."

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