Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Columbia Gas Logo
  • Our Company
  • Partner with Us
  • Emergency Contact Emergency Contact
  • My Account
    • Sign In / Register
      Program Enrollments
      • AutoPay
      • Paperless Billing
      • Budget Plan
      Account Dashboard
      Alerts & Notifications
      • Outage Alerts
      • Billing Alerts
      • Email Subscriptions
      View Accounts
      Manage Account
      • Contact Info
      • Wallet & Payment methods
      • Add Account
      • Remove Account
      • Account Security
      Bills & Payments
      • Pay My Bill
      • Pay with a Card
      • Bill & Payment History
      • My Usage
      • Understanding Your Bill
  • Products & Services
    • Start, Stop or Move Service
      • Construction and Renovation
      • Landlord Services
      • Business Support
      • Set a Service Appointment
      Convert to Natural Gas
      • Natural Gas Availability Form
      • Calculate Your Savings
      • Find a Contractor
      Home Protection Plans
      • Homeowner Protection Plans
      • Renter Protection Plans
      Renewable Energy Programs
      • RNG for Producers
      Alert Center
      Work in Your Neighborhood
      • Replacement Projects
      • Northern Loop Pipeline Project
      • Vegetation Management
      • Property Restoration
  • Safety
    • Natural Gas Safety
      • How to Recognize a Gas Leak
      • Contact 811 Before You Dig
      • Gas Line Responsibilities
      • Encroachment Awareness
      • Automatic Shut-Off Devices
      • Locating Gas Lines
      • Sewer Line Safety
      • Pipeline Integrity Management Plan
      • Advanced Leak Detection
      Excavators
      Home Safety
      • Appliance Safety
      • Carbon Monoxide
      • Proper Venting
      • Impostors and Scams
      • Find a Contractor
      • Digger’s Dog House
      Weather Safety
      • Flooding Safety
      • Winter Weather Safety
      Know Your Home
      • Exterior
      • Basement
      • Kitchen
      • Living Room
      • Laundry
      • Bedroom
      • Bathroom
      • Garage
      • Office
  • Bills & Payments
    • Pay My Bill
      Understanding Your Bill
      Payment Options
      • Find a Payment Location
      Report a Payment
      Billing Programs
      • Paperless Billing
      • AutoPay
      • Budget Plan
      • CHOICE®
      • Standard Choice Offer
      • Transportation Service
      • Governmental Aggregation
      Financial Support
      • Income-Eligible Assistance Programs
      • Payment Plans
      • Shut Off and Reconnect Process
      • Give the Gift of Energy
      • Contribute to HeatShare
  • Ways to Save
    • For Your Home
      • Home Energy Saving Tips
      • Income-Eligible Weatherization
      • Heating Cost Calculator
      For Your Business
      • Business Energy Tips
      Income Eligible Assistance Programs
      • Energy Assistance Resource Center
      • Eligibility Calculator
  • Help
    • Self-Service
      • Web
      • Chat
      • Mobile
      • Phone
      Forms
      • Document Upload Form
      • Release Form
      Quick Links
      • Alert Center
      • Report an Emergency
      • Imposters and Scams
      Help Center
      • Understanding Your Bill
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Contact Us
{[{ initials }]}
{[{ notificationCount }]}
My Account {[{ displayName }]} Sign Out
Sign In / Register

Email

{[{ displayName }]} Sign Out

Access My Account
Manage Your Account
Forgot email?
Forgot password?
Don't have an online account?
Register an account or Pay without signing in
Logo
menu close

Emergency Information

1-800-344-4077

Have an emergency?

If you smell gas, think you have a gas leak, have carbon monoxide symptoms or have some other emergency situation, go outside and call 911 and then call us at 1-800-344-4077 (24/7).


Emergency Contact
{[{ initials }]}
{[{ notificationCount }]}
My Account {[{ displayName }]} Sign Out
Welcome
Manage Your Account
Sign In / Register
  • My Account
    • Sign In / Register
    • Account Dashboard
    • View Accounts
    • Bills & Payments
      • Pay My Bill
      • Pay with a Card
      • Bill & Payment History
      • My Usage
      • Understanding Your Bill
    • Program Enrollments
      • AutoPay
      • Paperless Billing
      • Budget Plan
    • Alerts & Notifications
      • Outage Alerts
      • Billing Alerts
      • Email Subscriptions
    • Manage Account
      • Contact Info
      • Wallet & Payment methods
      • Add Account
      • Remove Account
      • Account Security
  • Products & Services
    • Start, Stop or Move Service
      • Construction and Renovation
        • Service Application
      • Landlord Services
      • Business Support
      • Set a Service Appointment
    • Home Protection Plans
      • Homeowner Protection Plans
      • Renter Protection Plans
    • Alert Center
    • Work in Your Neighborhood
      • Replacement Projects
        • Columbus and Springfield Projects
        • Toledo and Northwestern Ohio Projects
        • Northeastern and North Central Ohio Projects
        • Eastern and Southern Ohio Projects
      • Northern Loop Pipeline Project
      • Vegetation Management
      • Property Restoration
    • Convert to Natural Gas
      • Natural Gas Availability Form
      • Calculate Your Savings
      • Find a Contractor
    • Renewable Energy Programs
      • RNG for Producers
        • Renewable Natural Gas Application
  • Safety
    • Natural Gas Safety
      • How to Recognize a Gas Leak
      • Contact 811 Before You Dig
      • Gas Line Responsibilities
      • Encroachment Awareness
      • Automatic Shut-Off Devices
      • Locating Gas Lines
      • Sewer Line Safety
      • Pipeline Integrity Management Plan
      • Advanced Leak Detection
    • Home Safety
      • Appliance Safety
        • Safe Appliance Installation
        • Care for Your Appliances
      • Carbon Monoxide
      • Proper Venting
      • Impostors and Scams
      • Find a Contractor
      • Digger’s Dog House
    • Weather Safety
      • Flooding Safety
      • Winter Weather Safety
    • Know Your Home
      • Exterior
      • Basement
      • Kitchen
      • Living Room
      • Laundry
      • Bedroom
      • Bathroom
      • Garage
      • Office
    • Excavators
  • Bills & Payments
    • Pay My Bill
    • Payment Options
      • Find a Payment Location
    • Billing Programs
      • Paperless Billing
      • AutoPay
      • Budget Plan
      • CHOICE®
      • Standard Choice Offer
      • Transportation Service
      • Governmental Aggregation
    • Financial Support
      • Income-Eligible Assistance Programs
        • Energy Assistance Resource Center
        • Eligibility Calculator
      • Payment Plans
      • Shut Off and Reconnect Process
      • Give the Gift of Energy
      • Contribute to HeatShare
    • Understanding Your Bill
    • Report a Payment
  • Ways to Save
    • For Your Home
      • Home Energy Saving Tips
      • Income-Eligible Weatherization
      • Heating Cost Calculator
    • For Your Business
      • Business Energy Tips
    • Income Eligible Assistance Programs
      • Energy Assistance Resource Center
      • Eligibility Calculator
    • Heating Cost Calculator
  • Help
    • Self-Service
      • Web
      • Chat
      • Mobile
      • Phone
    • Forms
      • Document Upload Form
      • Release Form
    • Quick Links
      • Alert Center
      • Report an Emergency
      • Imposters and Scams
    • Help Center
      • Understanding Your Bill
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Contact Us
        • Feedback Form
  • Our Company
  • Partner with Us
News
February 01, 2022

Safety and Energy-Saving Tips for Extreme Winter Weather

Back to News List
descriptivetext
Cold Weather Energy Tips Web

Extreme winter weather may create safety hazards and lead to increased energy usage and higher bills. Here are some tips to stay safe and warm, as well as save on energy costs.

Stay Safe, Warm and Comfortable

  • Keep vents clear. Be sure to clear snow and ice from intake, exhaust and/or make-up air vents. Keeping those vents clear can help avoid carbon monoxide buildup and operational issues with appliances.
  • Space heaters should be used with caution. When using, place the space heater on a hard, non-flammable surface away from bedding, drapes, furniture and flammable products.
  • Ensure appliances are installed in accordance with local building codes and manufacturer's instructions and specifications
  • Never use a stove or oven as a source of home heating; ovens are designed to heat food and should only be operated with the door closed
  • Don’t burn charcoal or run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space
  • Clean the chimney and check for blockage at least once a year before using the fireplace
  • Always keep our natural gas meter clear and visible so it is accessible for maintenance or in the event of an emergency; never let snow completely cover the meter and don’t use a shovel or hammer to hit the equipment to break up snow or ice buildup
  • If you smell gas or think there may be a gas leak, stop what you are doing, immediately leave the area, and then call 911 and the Columbia Gas emergency line at 1-800-344-4077.
  • If there are concerns of a carbon monoxide build-up, or you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, go outside immediately and call 911. Remember, carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, irregular breathing, and feeling ill or tired while at home, but fine when away.

For more winter weather and home safety tips, visit: columbiagasohio.com/home-safety.

Save Energy and Money

  • Run the furnace less often. Wear heavier clothing to keep warm. Change air filters often throughout the season, as dirty filters block air, forcing the furnace to work harder.
  • Let the sun in. Utilize the sun’s energy to heat the home simply by opening drapes on windows where the sun shines directly into a room. Remember, when the sun goes down, be sure to close drapes so they can do the job of insulating.
  • Seal up leaks. Use caulk to seal leaks around windows and doors. Look for places where there are pipes, vents or electrical conduits that go through the wall, ceiling or floor. Seal up small gaps in those areas.
  • Don’t block registers or radiators with draperies, curtains, furniture or anything else. Let the air flow freely.
  • A water heater is one of the biggest energy users in the home, so use a shower timer. Quick showers usually require less hot water than taking a bath. Also, add a water conserving showerhead to waste less water.

For more ways to save energy, visit columbiagasofohio.com/EnergyTips.

Bill Payment Assistance  

We know there are times when it may be difficult for you to pay your bill. We offer options to help you get back on track. Call us at 1-800-344-4077.

For more payment options, visit columbiagasofohio.com/bills-and-payments.

Share
Facebook
xlogo Twitter
LinkedIn

Article Credits

Posted In
Customers, Safety
  • Our Company
  • About Us
  • Columbia Cares
  • Rates and Tariffs
  • News Room
  • Careers
  • Partner with Us
  • Builders and Developers
  • Contractors and Plumbers
  • Economic Development
  • Emergency Responders
  • Excavators
  • Quick Links
  • Sign In
  • Outages
  • Ways to Pay
  • Get Help Paying
  • Mobile App
  • Need Help?
  • FAQs
  • Cookie Preferences
  • Contact Us
  • Call 1-800-344-4077
  • Connect with Us
facebook logo
xlogo
linkedin logo
© 2025 Columbia Gas of Ohio Inc.    Terms of Use    Privacy Notice    Accessibility Statement   

Have an emergency?

If you smell gas, think you have a gas leak, have carbon monoxide symptoms or have some other emergency situation, go outside and call 911 and then call us at 1-800-344-4077 (24/7).