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Natural Gas 101
Natural gas, probably most commonly known for its residential applications, is increasingly the
fuel of choice in today's homes. Find out more about this optimal energy source through the
Q & A section below.
What is natural gas?
What does natural gas smell like?
How is natural gas delivered to my home?
How safe is natural gas?
Do natural gas appliances produce carbon monoxide?
What are the environmental impacts involved
in consuming natural gas?
What is natural gas?
Natural gas is a combustible, gaseous mixture of simple hydrocarbon compounds, usually found in deep underground
reservoirs formed by porous rock. Natural gas is a fossil fuel composed almost entirely of methane, but does
contain small amounts of other gases, including ethane, propane, butane and pentane. Methane is composed of a
molecule of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.
What does natural gas smell like?
In its most pure state, natural gas has no odor. That's why we add a chemical with a very distinctive odor.
In fact, it smells like rotten eggs. Make sure that everyone in your family is aware of this.
If you or any member of your family smells gas, LEAVE THE PREMISES IMMEDIATELY, and call Vectren at 1-800-227-1376
from an area other than the gas leak. Even though natural gas has a very limited range of flammability, you are not
equipped to determine whether there has been a dangerous build-up.
How is natural gas delivered to my home?
Three segments of the natural gas industry are involved in delivering natural gas from the wellhead to the consumer.
Production companies explore, drill and extract natural gas from the ground. Transmission companies operate the
pipelines that link the gas fields to major consuming areas. Distribution companies, such as Vectren Energy Delivery,
are the local utilities that deliver natural gas to the customer. Natural gas is then delivered to your home through
Vectren’s system of pipelines to your gas meter.
How safe is natural gas?
The 2 million-mile underground natural gas delivery system has an outstanding safety record.
Likewise, you can depend on your natural gas utility to bring you America's best energy value
regardless of weather.
However, it is highly flammable and, like any burning fuels, can produce carbon monoxide. Therefore, it is highly
recommended that you have your natural gas appliances inspected yearly to prevent improper combustion.
Do natural gas appliances produce carbon monoxide?
A natural gas furnace, water heater or other equipment that is properly installed and regularly maintained should
not release carbon monoxide (CO) into your home. But, to operate safely and efficiently, any fuel-burning appliance
or equipment must have a good supply of air. It must also have proper and effective venting to carry the exhausts
outdoors. If anything interferes with the air supply or the venting of exhaust gases, incomplete or faulty
combustion may occur. This could cause CO to be produced. For more information on CO safety, click here.
What are the environmental impacts involved in
consuming natural gas?
Simply put - natural gas is the cleanest-burning energy source for your home. Natural gas has fewer impurities,
is chemically less complex and its combustion generally results in less pollution than other fuels. In most
applications, the use of natural gas produces less sulfur dioxide (the primary precursor of acid rain), less
nitrogen oxides (the primary precursor of smog) and less particulate matter (which can affect health and visibility)
than oil
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