I Have High Gas Bills From a Leaking Stove

Identifying a Leak

• Since natural gas is odorless, it's mixed with a smelly substance called mercaptan. Mercaptan has a sulphuric odor, like rotten eggs, which is easily identifiable when there'sa leak. If a natural gas pipeline leading into your home begins to leak outdoors, you can typically also note the odor, sometimes combined with a hissing or blowing sound.

Responding to a Leak

• If you determine that your gas stove is leaking, immediately evacuate all people and pets from the house. If you live in an apartment or an attached home, contact your neighbors as well so they can evacuate. From outside your home, call the local natural gas provider or an emergency response number. Do not make any phone calls from within your home, as electronic devices or battery-operated devices may trigger combustion. Likewise, refrain from lighting any matches or candles, starting a vehicle or creating any type of spark. Wait for the professionals to identify the source of the leak; do not try to find it yourself. Do not return to your home until qualified professionals have assessed the situation and deemed it habitable.

Preventive Measures

• If you have an old or poorly functioning stove and you're concerned about future gas leaks, invest in a gas leak detector. Typically, the device sets off an alarm sound whenever the ambient gas level in the air exceeds a particular value. If you have a diminished sense of smell or you are concerned about gas leaking while you sleep, a detector makes a practical tool. For your detector to function properly, replace its batteries regularly and calibrate it as often as the particular model requires.

Potential Risks

• A spike in your gas bill with little change in your cooking habits is a pretty certain sign that something is wrong with your natural gas system. However, it's far more likely that you would notice the gas leak before receiving that month's gas bill. If you don't notice the leaking until receiving the bill, potentially days or weeks after the leak begins, it's likely that you will experience negative health effects, such as dizziness, headaches, fatigue or irregularities in your breathing.