SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As Californians begin to tackle their spring cleaning checklists, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) urges its customers to add gas appliances to the list with a free inspection from the utility.

“We’re always thinking about our customers’ safety. Gas appliances have been working hard all winter long, and spring is the ideal time to have a local PG&E representative perform a free safety check to ensure appliances are in good working order,” said PG&E’s vice president of gas transmission and distribution operations, John Higgins.

PG&E recommends having gas appliances checked annually to ensure they are ready to be used when they are needed most. Doing so can extend the life of the appliance and help it operate more efficiently.

Damaged or worn furnaces and water heaters can emit excess quantities of carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas. Natural gas appliances typically produce a minimal amount of carbon monoxide that doesn’t pose a safety risk and is carried away safely through the venting system. However, when not properly maintained, gas appliances can produce extra carbon monoxide, which can cause serious health problems, and in some cases, can be fatal.

PG&E customers interested in scheduling a free appliance check can call 1-800-PGE-5000. Some of the appliances that PG&E inspects include furnaces, water heaters, ovens and ranges, pool and hot tub heaters, clothes dryers and gas fireplaces.

As a helpful tool, PG&E offers the following spring cleaning tips:

• Clear away any flammable materials and liquids from gas furnaces and other heat sources.
• Don’t forget to replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries. You should replace batteries in all detectors at least once a year.
• If your spring cleaning includes sprucing up the front yard, don’t forget to call 811 to have underground service utilities marked before you do any digging.
• Call PG&E and schedule an in-home inspection of your natural gas appliances.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.

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Source: PG&E Corporation