Is there a deposit required for gas service?
New-service applicants or previous customers who are applying
for service again must pay a $200.00 deposit in addition to the
connection fees, unless they grant us permission to initiate a
credit score evaluation at the point of application for service. In
order to initiate a credit scoring evaluation, it will be necessary
for the applicant to give us their valid Social Security Number.
Based on a satisfactory credit score from ONLINE UTILITY EXCHANGE,
new-service applicants or previous customers who pose no credit
risk will not be charged a deposit. If an existing Fort Hill
customer is moving into another location and requests gas service
there, no deposit or connection fee will be required.
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Can the extra footage charges for the service line
to my home that is greater than 175 feet, or appliance purchases be
added to my monthly bill?
No,
extra footage charges are due prior ro installation, and all
appliance purchases are payment upon receipt, however, we do accept
credit cards for all purchases including extra footage and your
monthly gas bill.
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Where can I purchase natural gas appliances?
Fort Hill now sells and installs
water heaters, grills, logs, space heaters, and outside lights.
We also sell and install gas dryers, washing machines and gas
ranges. There also are other appliance stores in the area that sell
and install these appliances.
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How deep do we bury natural gas lines for
residential service?
We bury the lines approximately 18 inches
deep.
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Who do I call to have my gas line and other
underground utilities located?
You need to call
Palmetto Utility Protection Service (PUPS), at least 72 hours
prior to any excavation. The number is 811. This service is
provided free of charge.
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Why am I required to be present when my gas is
turned on?
We require this for the safety of our customers.
Some appliances may be on or need a pilot lighted.
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What is the levelized payment plan?
The
levelized payment plan is a program that averages your
consumption for the previous 12 months and calculates your current
bill based on that average. This levelizes your monthly payments
throughout the year and reduces the higher bills during the winter
months.
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What is the bank draft payment plan and why should
I enroll?
The
bank draft payment plan allows us to automatically deduct your
monthly gas bill from your checking or savings account. It will
save you time, checks, and postage. It's convenient and free.
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Why can't I choose my due date?
Your account is part of a large meter route that is
read approximately the same time each month. When the route is
billed, the due date is automatically assigned. The due date is 15
days from the billing date.
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I think I smell gas in my house. What should I
do?
Natural Gas is colorless and odorless. A
distinctive
odor resembling rotten eggs is added so that you can smell the
gas immediately should a leak occur. If you think you smell gas,
please call your nearest
Fort Hill office immediately.
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What are the advantages of using natural gas as
opposed to electricity?
Natural gas heat is warmer than a heat pump, and
also many natural gas appliances will operate during a power outage
such as fireplace logs, most water heaters and gas cooktops.
Interruptions in natural gas service are almost nonexistent and gas
is significantly less expensive to use than electricity and
practically all other forms of energy. Call our
office nearest you for more
information.
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Are there any incentive programs for adding gas
appliances or converting my appliances to natural gas?
We
offer select
rebates for switching to natural gas appliances. Please see our
available rebate page for the current rebate offers. In addition to
rebates we also offer a residential volume user rate (RVUR) which
is a savings of 6% off your monthly gas bill. Please call our
office to see if you qualify.
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When I am on vacation, should I turn my water
heater off?
It is
not necessary to turn your water heater off. Many water heaters
have a vacation setting on the thermostat or if you will be gone
for an extended period of time, you can set the control on the
pilot position and the water heater will not operate until you set
it back to the on position.
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What is the time frame on installing new service
lines?
It is generally
4 to 8 weeks depending on weather and scheduled work. All
applicants with new construction should
apply for service when the building permit is applied for to
prevent delays. In fairness to everyone desiring a gas service
line, we must necessarily process all applications for service in
chronological order of receipt.
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There is a yellow wire wrapped around the gas line
at the meter, and it is not connected. What is this?
This is a tracer wire that enables us to locate
route of the service line from the meter back to the gas main.
Please do not tamper with this wire or attach it to anything.
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When I pay the $200.00 gas service installation
fee, what other charges will I have?
As long as the service line is no longer than 175
feet, and the required appliances are installed, there will be no
other fees associated with the gas service line installation. Other
fees may apply for customers who are casual users only. Please call
our office nearest you for further explanation. It is the
customer's responsibility to have internal house piping installed
from the gas meter to each appliance. Customers also should
purchase their
appliances from a reputable dealer and have them installed
according to gas code. Fort Hill
sells and installs certain appliances and can also install gas
piping for customers. Please click on the "Choosing
Appliances" tab on our web page for more information and a
listing of other insured dealers.
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My residential area has been approved for a gas
main extension. When will the line be installed?
This is determined by the engineering department
and will be scheduled as soon as possible. Do not remove your
present system until you receive a letter from the secretary
informing you that gas is on the line and ready for operation. Even
short gas main extensions take significantly more engineering and
permitting than service lines and therefore, several months
generally are required for this process before a main can be
constructed.
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Will you inspect my furnace prior to the winter
heating season?
Yes, just call our
office nearest you to schedule the inspection. Be sure to call
early before cool weather arrives or there may be a delay. There
will be a $50.00 service call fee for this service.
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How long will it take for Fort Hill to turn my gas
on once I make the request and pay the connection fee?
If you already have a gas service line to your
house, we can generally turn your gas on the same day you request
it, however, when cool weather arrives and everyone is calling at
the same time, you may experience a delay of several days, so call
early to prevent this from happening.
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How do I know if gas is available at my home?
Call your nearest office and we will inform you as
to the
availability of natural gas in your area.
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