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NATURAL GAS
Background
Decatur Utilities (DU) has provided natural gas as an energy choice to Decatur residents since the early 1950s. Natural gas is a safe, efficient energy choice - perfect for heating homes, heating water, cooking and fueling business processes. DU purchases natural gas from Southern Natural Gas. Wholesale natural gas rates are currently at historic lows - and DU passes those savings on to its customers in the form of low retail rates.
APGA SOAR Award
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In 2018 and 2022, DU's Natural Gas Department received the Alabama Public Gas Association's (APGA) SOAR Bronze Award for System Operations and Reliability.
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Out of approximately 750 APGA members, DU was selected by the APGA Operations and Safety Committee based on a review and grading of DU's natural gas policies and procedures. The award reflects DU’s demonstration of excellence in system integrity, system improvement, employee safety, and workforce development.
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System integrity refers to the natural gas distribution system performing its overall intended function safely, efficiently and effectively.
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System improvement refers to keeping the natural gas system well maintained and up-to-date.
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Employee safety refers to systems that exhibit excellence in programs that stress educational involvement and accountability.
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Workforce development refers to a focus on creative recruitment, training, education and development practices.
Download our
Pipeline Awareness
Safety Brochure HERE
Reading Your Meter
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Your​ natural gas meter is a tool for measuring the amount of natural gas you use in any given month. This measurement is made in cubic feet. There are four dials. Each dial represents a single number in the reading.
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Reading a natural gas meter
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Do NOT touch the meter while reading it.
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Read the dials from left to right.
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Read the numbers as indicated by the hands on the dials.
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If a hand is between two numbers, read the smaller number (unless when the hand is between the 0 and 9, in which case, you record the number nine.
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Subtract the current reading from the previous month's reading to determine usage.
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This reading is 9067.
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Service Line Responsibility​
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Natural Gas Benefits
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Low Cost
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Natural gas costs are typically far lower than propane or electricity.
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Convenience
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Delivery of natural gas is not as susceptible to weather issues, traffic problems or vehicle incidents.
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Natural gas is still available when electric service is interrupted by a storm or mechanical failure.
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Natural gas provides instant heat and a more consistent temperature for cooking.
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Clothes dry faster with natural gas heat.
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Improved Comfort
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Natural gas water heaters recover twice as fast as electric water heaters.
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Natural gas furnaces can be up to 97% efficient and deliver heat up to 25 degrees warmer than electric heat pumps.
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Natural gas furnaces never call on auxiliary "strip" heat.
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Natural gas provides "instant" heat you can feel.
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Proven Safety
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Natural gas is lighter than air and will quickly disperse into the surrounding atmosphere.
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DU adds a distinctive rotten egg smell to help with identification.
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DU surveys its natural gas lines on a regular basis to identify and repair any leaks.
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DU has aggressively replaced all cast iron piping on its natural gas system.
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Natural Gas Incentives
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See incentives and rebates here.
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Natural Gas Safety
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DU's safety tips for natural gas can be found here.
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Energy Efficiency
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DU's energy efficiency tips can be found here.
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Other Information
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Alabama Natural Gas Association (ANGA) Website
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American Gas Association (AGA) Website
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