Residential FAQs
Is natural gas available at my site?
Please contact our New Business Team at 1-800-440-6111. A representative can help answer specific questions regarding the availability of natural gas. Please have information available regarding intersecting streets to the left and right of your site.
If natural gas is not currently available at my site, is it possible to have Columbia extend a main line to serve me? Will I be charged for the extension? How much?
Please contact our New Business Team at 1-800-440-6111. A representative will evaluate your specific site to determine main line availability and provide information on the main line extension process.
I need to size a customer service line. What is your main line pressure in front of my site?
Please contact our New Business Team at 1-800-440-6111. If there is main line availability and the county in which you live requires customers service lines, a representative can provide the main line pressure information needed to accurately size a customer service line.
Who taps the main in the street?
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires that Columbia Gas tap the main line.
Who installs the line from the main in the street to my home?
To ensure that the specific requirements for the installation are met, please contact Columbia's New Business Team at 1-800-460-6111. A representative will be happy to explain the details.
How deep must the customer service line be installed?
Columbia Gas requires customer service lines be buried beneath a minimum of 18 inches of cover.
I am concerned about the appearance of the meter setting; what are your requirements about the location of the meter?
There are some specific requirements for the installation of meter settings, please contact our New Business Team at 1-800-440-6111. A representative will be happy to explain the details, including acceptable locations, sizes, screening, protection, etc.
The meter setting would be much less obtrusive if I can paint it to match the building. Is that a problem?
You may paint the meter and accessories any color you wish; however, there are a few restrictions:
- Rust inhibitor type paint must be applied
- You cannot paint over the glass cover on the Index.
- The meter name plate and serial number cannot be painted over.
- Be certain the vent on the regulator is not blocked.
We need to do some excavation around our home and would like to know the location of the customer service line and main line tap.
Prior to any excavation, you should call the Maryland One Call at 811 to have your underground utility lines marked.
We currently have natural gas at our home and planning to add an appliance. Will our current meter capacity be sufficient when we connect our new appliance?
Please contact our New Business Team at 1-800-440-6111 for information about your specific needs. To assist our representative in providing accurate and timely information, please have the type of appliance you will be adding available prior to calling.
How do I convert between British Thermal Units (BTUs), cubic feet (CCF's), MCF's and Therms?
- 1 Cubic Foot has approximately 1020 BTUs
- There are 100 Cubic Feet per CCF or about 102,000 BTUs
- There are 1,000 Cubic Feet per MCF or about 1,020,000 BTUs
- A Therm is 100,000 BTUs or just slightly less than a CCF
- A Dekatherm is 1,000,000 BTUs or just slightly less than an MCF
How quickly can I obtain natural gas service?
Each location is different. Please contact our New Business Team at 1-800-440-6111 for an estimated timeframe.
What are your current rates?
Our current rates are available on our tariff pages. For more information regarding our current rates or our Price Protection Service please contact our New Business Team at 1-800-440-6111.
I have a question about my bill. Whom should I contact?
Please call our Customer Contact Center at 1-800-344-4077 for information regarding your Columbia Gas bill or other customer service inquiries. Their business hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.