Natural gas is a fossil fuel and it does leave a carbon footprint. It is not a wonder fuel, but compared to petroleum and coal, it does the least damage to the atmosphere. It does not produce toxic fumes, and it is more plentiful than oil.

The chemical base for gas is methane. Its unique properties make it equally useful as a domestic fuel or an industrial fuel.

One of its main benefits in industry is that it does not harm the skin of people like some airborne agents often do. It’s only by product, when burned, is carbon dioxide.

This does not mean that it is safe to inhale unburned. Natural gas, because of its methane base, is not safe to take in through the lungs, which is why it has that rotten egg smell. In reality, it is odorless, so gas companies add the obvious and easily recognizable stench to its constitution so you will recognize a gas leak immediately.

If you smell this smell, call the gas company, and get out of your dwelling at once. You do not know how much gas built up before you smelled it, and you could be in an explosive environment if you linger.

Do not try to grab anything as you leave, either, because even small sparks can cause an explosion in a home full of gas. Experts can come in and fix the leak and render your home safe if you will let them handle it.

In most cases, however, natural gas is part of life and something we in some ways take for granted. We run our central heaters with it, we heat our water with it, and we cook our food over gas powered stoves. We also run outdoor equipment with it, such as some outdoor lights, patio heaters, fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces.

We often use it without giving it a second thought.

It is never good to use anything unconsciously. While natural gas suppliers do all they can do to make it safe, it still needs to be controlled and managed correctly by the user.

Never let your kids play with the stove. Kids love to turn on the fire and then turn off the flame to hear the whistling sound the jets can still make while they are releasing unburned gas.

This is a deadly situation if you allow it. Only let children old enough to properly and safely use a stove touch the controls.

Also, do not let your kids near the pilot light of the water heater. They often try to blow it out like a candle because it is fun. This will cause gas to be released into your home and begin building to a volatile point.

Adults need to be mindful that pilot lights can be blown out accidentally. Moving things around an open flame needs to be done carefully, and the pilot light needs to be checked to make certain it is still on.

One of the biggest wastes of natural gas is operating the stove at full flame. Lower flames will heat up water and cook food just as effectively, only they take a bit longer and use far less fuel.

MXenergy is a leader in natural gas providers as well as a retail power company which offers commercial and retail electricity.

Please visit us at http://www.mxenergy.com/ for all your energy needs.

Author Bio: MXenergy is a leader in natural gas providers as well as a retail power company which offers commercial and retail electricity.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: natural gas providers, electricity and gas, natural gas, energy companies, saving energy