Atmos Energy urged residents to conserve natural gas usage during the extreme winter temperatures to help maintain gas service.
Atmos Energy is closely monitoring the weather and staging its employees across the system.
NBC 5 viewers in the Arlington, Benbrook, Frisco, Grand Prairie and south Fort Worth areas reported decreased gas pressure with some having been without gas since Thursday night.
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Amir Arien said he purchased five space heaters late Thursday night to keep his family warm. As of Friday afternoon, they still did not have hot water or heat.
"This is our temperature right now at the moment. Upstairs, 55. 63, downstairs," Arien said. "It’s just like déjà vu we had with the electricity in 2021."
Arien's younger brother Khurram lives next door. Khurram's wife and their two-week-old son are staying with his in-laws.
"In my house, it’s literally when I checked…it was 57 degrees. With a newborn, I could not," he said. "I took my wife, I went over there and slept with them all night."
Suzette Lagray and her husband live in Grand Prairie. Heat in their home returned late Friday morning after being without heat downstairs for about 12 hours.
Lagray said while she was relieved their gas pressure returned to normal, she would like to see better communication from Atmos Energy.
"I think it was pretty frustrating, because at least with information…you can plan. Do I need to go out and buy space heaters or what?" she explained. "Without any kind of feedback or update, it makes it really difficult."
An Atmos Energy spokesperson did not answer our questions directly about communication concerns or how many residents have been affected, but we're told in an email:
"Please let your audience know that we are experiencing high call volumes due to colder than normal temperatures and there may be a significant wait time to speak with an agent. If this is not an emergency or if they are calling about the status of a previous order, we are working as quickly as possible to get a service technician to their home. If this is an emergency, please hold and an agent will answer their call as quickly as possible."
The North Richland Hills Centre and the NRH Library closed Friday after the low gas pressure affected those facilities.
WHERE YOU CAN GO IF YOU ARE COLD
The City of Arlington opened The Beacon Recreation Center at 1100 Mansfield Webb Road as a temporary warming center in response to the inadequate natural gas pressure in the Deer Valley Lane Community and surrounding area in South Arlington.
North Richland Hills Baptist Church's Wellness Center was a warming station for residents, but it has been closed. Residents in need of shelter should call NRH public safety dispatch at 817-281-1000.
The Texas Department of Emergency Management has launched its warming center map to help Texans find a place to go if they need to stay warm during the dangerously cold temperatures.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET THE HEAT GOING AGAIN?
Around 11:30 a.m., Atmos tweeted there would be a "significant wait time" as they were experiencing a high call volume.
The Railroad Commission of Texas released a statement Friday afternoon stating:
"The Railroad Commission is aware of some localized low-pressure issues due to extremely high demand in areas served by Atmos Energy, Mid-Tex Division. Atmos is working to increase pressure in the system and to continue to work tickets for customers who experienced low-pressure issues. Atmos’ customer call center is open. Additional resources have been added to handle the call volumes and work customer tickets. Atmos Mid-Tex reported there is no gas supply issues overall in the system at this time. The Commission remains in close communication with Atmos and will provide updates as we get them."
In a now-deleted post on their Facebook page, Atmos posted Friday morning that customer service lines were closed for Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26 stating, "Our Customer Service lines are closed today, December 23, and Monday, December 26. Our emergency line 866.322.8667 continues to operate 24/7. "
A spokesperson for the Railroad Commission of Texas contacted NBC 5 Friday evening stating that gas pressure had improved in affected areas and that Atmos brought in CNG for its systems.
HOW TO CONSERVE NATURAL GAS
Atmos Energy offered these tips to conserve natural gas in your home:
- Do not use your natural gas fireplace.
- Lower your thermostat to at least 68 degrees. Consider wearing additional layers of clothing and turning down the thermostat even lower.
- Businesses should minimize energy usage as much as
- possible.
- Lower the water heater temperature to 120 degrees, because it can account for as much as 25 percent of the energy consumed in your home.
- Unplug electronic devices and turn off lights that are not in use. By conserving electricity, you are also helping to conserve natural gas which keeps the power on.
- Reduce shower time and avoid baths. Showering accounts for about 40 percent of your home’s hot water use.
- Refrain from using large appliances like your washer, dryer, oven, and dishwasher for the next few days. When in use, limit opening the oven door to prevent wasted energy.
- If you have a pool, do not use the pool heater. Instead, run your pool pump during the coldest part of the day to circulate the water and prevent freezing.
Atmos Energy also reminds everyone that if you smell natural gas or suspect a leak, to leave the area immediately and from a safe distance call 911 and the Atmos Energy emergency number at 866.322.8667.
