I have been wanting to shut of the natural gas service for over a year now. Ever since we switched over to the electric ground-loop heat pump and electric water heater, the need for natural gas in our home had become almost non-existent. All except for our gas clothes dryer.
A couple of weeks ago we switched out the gas dryer for an electric one and instantly, our need for natural gas vanished.
Excitedly I called up Questar to cancel our natural gas service. The phone conversation went something like this:
Questar: Hello this is Questar customer service, how may I help you?
Me: Yes, This is John Loveless and I’d like to cancel our natural gas service.
Questar: Would you like me to transfer your gas service to your new address?
Me: Oh we aren't moving. We are staying in the same home. We no longer require natural gas and just want to cancel the gas service.
Questar: This isn't like canceling the premium channels on cable TV. We’re talking fuel here. Once you cancel it, you won’t be able to heat your home or run the hot-water heater. Do you understand what you are requesting?
Me: Oh Yes, I understand completely. Those technical challenges were solved a long time ago. The house and hot-water in our home have been heated comfortably without natural gas for well over a year now. We no longer require natural gas; nor do we want it anymore. So now I am asking you to please cancel the gas service.
Questar: Do you realize that once you cancel your gas service, we will come out, shut off the gas meter and put a lock on it? You will be without natural gas. Do you REALLY want to do this?
Me: Oh, that sounds wonderful! Absolutely, please do! I have been wanting to make that happen for a very long time now.
Questar (…. long pause and maybe a little offended)
Me: Oh, no, no. I am not unhappy with your service. It’s been fantastic and extremely reliable. We just don’t require natural gas as a fuel source for our home any more.
Questar: Really?
Me: Yes Really! Effective immediately, please cancel our gas service.
Questar: Please hold…. Long Pause ….. (grudgingly), Mr. Loveless, we will send someone out to your home to put a lock on the meter. We will also be checking up every so often to ensure nobody is using the gas service. Do you understand?
Me: Sure, do whatever you like. Take the gas meter off the house and cap off the gas pipe for all I care.
Questar: Oh we can't do that but we will put a lock on the meter.
Me: Sounds great....... Well, thanks for the years of service, but I'm going to let you go now. Thanks again. Goodbye.
Questar (still a little confused): Have a nice day.