Update, 5:30 p.m. — Atmos Energy was having pressure issues in the Deer Valley subdivision this morning but pressure is now holding, according to a message from a company official. Atmos is still urging customers to conserve natural gas usage to help maintain gas service.
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Editor’s note: After multiple comments/messages from community members about the original statement from Atmos, Owensboro Times reached back out to get more clarity on the situation. Here’s what they had to say:
Question: Were only 20 homes affected or did every home in the neighborhood have issues?
Atmos: The 20 homes that were reported earlier was a preliminary number. Our latest report indicates that a total of 34 customers were affected. However, since that time, all orders have been worked and gas service has been completely restored to the area. To our knowledge, no home in Deer Valley or the surrounding area is currently without natural gas service.
Q: Some messages are saying there is no hot water in any home, while some are saying a lot don’t have heat? Were both affected, and have both been resolved or are there still issues with the water and/or gas?
A: For the customers that lost natural gas service, all appliances running on natural gas would have been affected, which could include water heaters or furnaces. Service has now been restored to all customers in the area and appliances should be working. If any Atmos Energy customers are experiencing issues with gas service, please contact Atmos Energy’s emergency number at 1866.322.8667 or 1888.286.6700.
Q: Are there issues that will linger past Christmas?
A: The extreme cold temperatures, coupled with wind gusts that exceeded 30 miles per hour, contributed to these interruptions in natural gas service. Our system is currently operating as expected and we do not anticipate further issues. However, we continue to experience high natural gas demand and will continue to monitor the situation. If any Atmos Energy customers are experiencing issues with gas service, please contact Atmos Energy’s emergency number at 1866.322.8667 or 1888.286.6700.
Q: There are claims that the gas pipelines are too small for the number of homes in the neighborhood. Can you confirm if that is true, and if so is that a contributing factor and are there any steps being taken to resolve the size of the pipeline?
A: We are not aware of any conservation. As stated earlier, our preliminary review suggests that the extreme cold temperatures in the area, coupled with wind gusts that exceeded 30 miles per hour, contributed to these natural gas service interruptions. However, we continue to review the situation.
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Original story:
In an email to Owensboro Times, Atmos Public Affairs Manager Kay Coomes said:
This morning we were having some pressure issues in the Deer Valley subdivision, off HWY 231. But the pressure is now holding and the customers (around 20) that did experience the issue are now back on. Due to the extreme cold temperatures; we are asking that subdivision to do their best to be conservative. We reached out to them with this message.
“Conserve natural gas now to help maintain service. Follow these ti at www.atmosenergy.com/conservation. We will continue to investigate the Deer Valley situation and continue to monitor that area to ensure the service continues.”
Please note, we are only experiencing that issue in that subdivision. The rest of our service area in Owensboro seems to be holding ok.
Atmos has shared on social media that:
We are experiencing high call volumes due to colder than normal temperatures and there may be a significant wait time to speak with an agent. If this is not an emergency or if you are calling about the status of a previous order, we are working as quickly as possible to get a service technician to your home. If this is an emergency, please hold and an agent will answer your call as quickly as possible.
Coomes urged customers to head the following safety tips shared earlier this week in preparation for the bitter temperatures:
- Never use an oven or a gas stovetop to heat your home.
- Protect natural gas meters. Natural gas meters are weather-proof; however, to ensure that the meter keeps working smoothly, remove snow and ice from natural gas meters with a broom or brush. Never kick or chip snow and ice away with a hard object.
- Safely remove snow from vents for dryers and other natural gas equipment. Blocked vents for dryers and other gas appliances can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide gas.
- Minimize the risk of frozen pipes. Leave faucets running at a trickle, leave cabinet doors open, and close all doors and windows to keep heat inside.
- If you think you smell gas, act fast. Leave the area immediately and from a safe distance call 911 and the Atmos Energy emergency number, 866-322-8667.
- These tips and more are available on the Atmos Weather Safety page.
The also offered energy conservation tips:
- Every degree makes a difference. Save energy and money by lowering your thermostat to at least 68 degrees and 58 degrees when you are away from home.
- Don’t forget the water heater. Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees or set your temperature dial to normal or medium.
- Harness the power of the sun. Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
- Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Leaving the damper open is like keeping a window wide open – warm air goes right up the chimney!
- Change furnace filters once a month during winter. Dirty air filters can lead to dust, dirt, and grime buildup on the heating components, causing the furnace to use more energy and increasing the risk of a malfunction.
- Unplug electronic devices and turn off lights that are not in use.
- Make sure air registers and vents are not blocked by furniture or equipment for proper air flow.
- Install a smart or programmable thermostat to automatically control your heating and cooling temperatures.
- Hire a qualified professional to conduct regular maintenance and filter replacement on your HVAC systems.
- Weatherize your building by sealing gaps and cracks in windows, doors, exterior walls, and roof penetrations with caulk or weatherstripping.
