PG&E offers free gas safety checks

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- As the cold weather makes its return to the Central Valley, people are starting to fire up their heaters.

PG&E provides free gas safety checks that cover all gas appliances in your homes. Those typically last no longer than an hour. The idea is to give customers peace of mind.

PG&E officials say a vast majority of safety checks involve very minor cleanings or adjustments. However, it is not uncommon to find serious and imminently hazardous conditions on thousands of gas appliances each year.

If you're looking for ways to save, PG&E suggests setting your thermostat to 68 degrees or cooler while at home and 55 degrees while you are away. They add opening curtains and blinds during the day will let the sunlight warm your house, then close them at night to help hold the heat in.

The checks typically last no longer than an hour.

Call PG&E's 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-800-743-5000 to schedule an appointment.