Delmarva Power serves more than 137,000 homes and businesses in the regulated natural gas market in New Castle County, Delaware. An ongoing commitment to meeting the energy needs of our customers has resulted in a solid history of providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy.
Call 302-454-0317 (New Castle County, Delaware Only)
Natural gas is a safe, clean, efficient fuel for home or business use. For more on natural gas safety, please view our brochures found in the Safety section of our Customer Guides page. For more on natural gas safety, please view our brochures found in the Safety section of our Customer Guides page.
Report a Gas Leak and Other Emergencies
Because natural gas is colorless and odorless, a harmless but strong-smelling ingredient called "mercaptan" has been added to draw attention to any leak that might occur. If you smell this strong odor in your home or business, or you have other reason to suspect a natural gas leak, take action right away:
Not to be confused with carbon dioxide – something humans produce every time we exhale – carbon monoxide is a very dangerous and highly toxic odorless gas produced when burning fuel without enough oxygen. Your oil, natural gas, coal or wood heating system can produce carbon monoxide if it isn't adequately vented and working properly.
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, dizziness, headaches, weakness and shortness of breath, vision problems, and other flu-like symptoms. If someone begins to experience these symptoms, quickly leave your house and contact 9-1-1 immediately as carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to brain damage, unconsciousness and death.
An excess flow valve (EFV) is a device that can reduce the risk of a natural gas leak in the event of damage to the outside service line. EFVs are able to automatically reduce unplanned, excessive gas flows in the event of a broken gas line, often the result of excavation damage.
However, EFV's can only shut off the excessive gas flow if the damage occurs between the gas main and the customer's regulator/meter installation. An EFV cannot address gas leaks or issues with internal customer gas piping and/or appliances.
As a result of regulations enacted by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Delmarva Power has been installing EFV's on the gas service lines of certain single family residences – either when a new service line is installed or when an existing service line is replaced. With certain exceptions, customers whose natural gas load does not exceed a certain size have the right to request an EFV installation on their existing natural gas service line.
Delmarva Power will install an EFV on eligible existing natural gas service lines, upon request. The customer requesting the EFV installation will be responsible for the actual cost of the work. Please revisit this web site for further updates.
For more information about EFVs, or to see if you qualify to have an EFV installed, contact our Gas Delivery New Business team at 302-429-3118.
Information to help you to maintain safe gas service and your personal safety.
If you smell natural gas, leave the area immediately and then call 302-454-0317. Always assume downed power lines are energized and stay away. To report a downed wire, call 1-800-898-8042.
The information below will help you to maintain safe gas service and your personal safety.