PG&E offers free gas appliance safety inspections ahead of winter

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is offering free in-home gas safety inspections for customers in Northern and Central California to prepare residential heating systems for winter. Technicians will inspect gas-powered water heaters, furnaces, and ovens, while also relighting pilot lights for units that were deactivated during warmer months.

The initiative aims to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure. According to the company, PG&E has responded to over 6,300 reports of suspected CO presence since the beginning of 2026. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that accidental CO poisoning results in over 100,000 emergency room visits annually in the U.S.

"Customers can take advantage of this free safety program in advance of winter weather, a time when many will be increasing their use of heaters," said Jeff Janvier, PG&E Vice President of Gas Distribution Operations. The company advises scheduling appointments online to avoid service line congestion.

PG&E continues to remind residents that all single-family homes in California are required to have carbon monoxide detectors. The utility emphasizes that these devices should be tested twice a year, and that residents must never use outdoor appliances, such as grills or generators, inside an enclosed home environment.