01/25/2026
Ensure your HVAC vents are clear. Check and change your filter if you haven't done so in a while!
Keep your gas meter clear of ice and snow! ❄️ Just like scraping off your car or shoveling your sidewalks, it’s important to take care of your gas meter after it snows.
Allowing snow and ice to build up on your natural gas meter, or fall from the roof above your meter, can lead to dangerous damages. Your natural gas meter’s regulator vent must always be clear so the flow of natural gas into the home can be regulated properly. If this vent becomes plugged, the pressure of gas flowing into the home could either increase to a dangerous level, resulting in a fire, explosion or the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide, or decrease, preventing natural gas from flowing to your gas appliances.
Allowing a large amount of snow to pile up on a meter can lead to pipes breaking, causing dangerous gas leaks. After every snow, be sure to clear off your gas meter gently using your hands or a broom. Never use a shovel on the meter. If you rely on a snow removal company to clear your property, be sure they are also safely clearing snow and ice from your meter, and a path to your meter. If you have a seasonal property or are away on vacation, ask someone to check your natural gas meter and vents, especially after a significant storm. Snow should also be cleared from the roof above the meter to prevent falling snow or ice from damaging the meter or associated piping.
After major snowstorms, take a walk around your property and ensure all vents are clear of snow or ice and that there is a path to your gas and electric meter in case we need to access them in an emergency. Also, be sure all appliance exhaust vents are clear from snow – especially after a winter storm.
Visit NorthWesternEnergy.com/WinterSafety to learn how to prepare.
