Excess Flow Valves - Ohio
How an excess flow valve works
Gas can build up if your gas line is damaged by digging, an accident or a break. When this happens, the excess flow valve works to quickly shut off the gas flow to help keep your home safe.
Protecting your property from damage
The excess flow valve is designed to understand the normal natural gas pressure in the lines to your home or business. This means it can tell the difference between the gas pressure resulting from a broken underground pipe versus gas pressure necessary for normal usage like when your furnace and water heater are on at the same time.
If the pressure in your gas line suddenly drops, the valve shuts off. This helps stop natural gas from building up and lowers the risk of fires, explosions, injuries and damage to your property.
What excess flow valves don’t do
Excess flow values are designed for large-volume gas leaks caused by damage to underground pipes. They are not designed to detect or control small or slow leaks in your home.
Service lines vs. interior piping
Excess flow valves help protect the underground service line between the main and your meter. They’re specifically designed to respond to significant, high-volume flow increases caused by a complete break in the underground line.
Excess flow valves do not protect against leaks in your home’s pipes, appliances or anything on the home or business’ side of the gas meter.
Pipeline safety — with or without an excess flow valve
Many accidental gas pipeline incidents can be prevented by following the law and calling 811 before you dig. Whenever you need to dig or excavate, call 811 at least two business days (48 hours) before you start line locators can locate and mark nearby underground utilities.
Call before you digHow to get an excess flow valve installed
Anyone with an existing service line can choose to have National Fuel install an excess flow valve. Installation costs can vary depending on the complexity of the lines and site-specific engineering requirements. Cost can vary depending on how difficult the installation is, but most National Fuel customers can expect an average price of about $800. Once installed, there are no maintenance costs.
Why modern infrastructure includes EFV protection
Beginning of April 2017, Federal law requires placement of excess flow valves on newly installed and replacement natural gas service lines. As a result, most service lines installed in the last decade already include an excess flow valve as a standard safety feature. Installing one on an eligible older gas line can help you bring your infrastructure up to modern safety standards.
When you request an evaluation, we’ll determine if your gas line has any characteristics or limitations that could prevent us from installing an EFV.
Frequently asked questions about excess flow valves
Will an EFV shut off my gas if I have a small leak in my stove?
No. Excess flow valves are designed to respond only to significant, high-volume flow increases like those caused by a complete break in the underground service line. They do not detect small leaks or issues with indoor appliances.
How do I know if my home already has an EFV?
Most service lines installed or completely replaced since 2010 likely have an excess flow valve. If you’re unsure, you can contact CenterPoint Energy to review your service records.
Does an EFV require regular maintenance or batteries?
No. Excess flow valves are purely mechanical devices with no moving parts except the internal valve. They’re installed underground and don’t need maintenance or power.