With below zero temperatures starting Thursday, Jan 22, Xcel Energy is offering tips to help customers save energy during the extreme cold to reduce the impact on energy bills.
- Lower your thermostat: Set the thermostat between 65 to 70 degrees while you're at home, and 58 degrees when you're away. Reducing the temperature by one degree can lower energy bills by up to 3%.
- Let the sunlight in: Open blinds during the day to take advantage of the sun's warmth, but be sure to close them at night to insulate against the cold air.
- Ensure exterior doors are fully closed: A major source of heat loss comes from exterior doors that are cracked open or not completely latched.
- Use fans: Run ceiling fans clockwise so that warm air near the ceiling is forced down.
- Keep your oven's heat inside: Use the oven light or timer to avoid opening it often while cooking. Each time the oven door is opened for even a few seconds, the temperature drops 25 degrees.
- Lower water heater temperature or insulate it: Lower your water heater temperature 10 degrees to save 3-5% on water hearing costs, but be sure to keep it to at least 120 degrees. You can also insulate it to maximize efficiency.
- Keep water filters clean: Dirty furnace filters reduce airflow which causes the furnace to work harder and use more energy. Ideally, you should change your filter once a month during the winter to reduce heating costs by 5-15%.
- Don't let heat escape: Affordable window sealing kits are available for purchase at most local home improvement stores. Have your home evaluated for leaky ducts, drafts around doors and windows, fireplace dampers, and other places where air could escape.
- Improve insulation: Improving the insulation of walls, crawl spaces, floors, and heating ducts can save you up to 10% on your monthly energy bill.
For more information on ways to save energy, visit the Energy Saving Tips page at xcelenergy.com.
Xcel Energy will always work with customers to provide options such as payment plans and assistance programs to get them through difficult times. If customers face challenges paying their energy bills, contact Xcel Energy to set up a payment arrangement or learn more about assistance options that may be available. Learn more by visiting xcelenergy.com/EnergyAssistance or by calling 1-800-895-4999.