Why is it important to regularly monitor gas usage in a building?

Regularly monitoring gas usage in a building is crucial for detecting potential leaks or excessive consumption. This practice plays a vital role in safety and efficiency:

Monitoring gas consumption helps identify unusual spikes in usage, which might indicate a gas leak. Leaks are not only dangerous due to the risk of explosions or harmful gas exposure, but they can also lead to significant financial losses through wasted resources. Identifying these issues early allows for prompt repairs and can prevent more severe hazards.

In addition, tracking consumption patterns can highlight inefficiencies in the gas systems, prompting maintenance or adjustments that can enhance performance and safety. Thus, the essential benefit of regular monitoring lies in its proactive approach to managing safety and resource use.

The other options, while relevant to various aspects of gas usage, do not directly correlate with the urgency and safety inherent in monitoring for leaks or excessive consumption. For example, measuring appliance efficiency contributes to energy management but does not address immediate safety concerns that monitoring for leaks does. Similarly, calculating energy costs, while important for budgeting, is a secondary concern compared to ensuring the safety of the environment through leak detection.