AMARILLO, Texas (July 6, 2020) – Temperatures are expected to soar into triple digits over the next 10 days, and with more people at home practicing social distancing, Xcel Energy is reminding customers of ways to prevent spikes in monthly bills caused by higher electricity use.

“July and August are almost always the peak demand months for electricity in our Texas-New Mexico service area,” said Brad Baldridge, Xcel Energy director for Customer and Community Relations in Texas and New Mexico. “We could see even higher demand this year, especially from residential customers, because of the predicted extreme heat and the fact that more of us are at home than in past summers.”

Air conditioning accounts for the greatest share of home and business electricity use in the summer, Baldridge said. Raising the thermostat just a few degrees higher can help keep bills in line with the amounts customers budget each month for electricity.

“You can save $100 or more over the course of the summer by raising your thermostat setting from 72 to 78 degrees,” Baldridge said. “And using ceiling fans with the higher setting will help circulate the cool air and keep the interiors of your home or business more comfortable.”

Additionally, customers can save money by:

  • Using weather stripping to seal doors and windows so cool air can’t escape
  • Investing in a “smart” thermostat that allows customers to program and/or adjust thermostat settings from a mobile device
  • Closing blinds and drapes during the heat of the day to block the heat from sunlight
  • Opening interior doors to allow cool air to circulate in the house. Or, if there is a part of the house not in use, closing it off to keep the cool air where it is desired
  • Putting off cooking and clothes drying and other chores that create heat inside the home until past 7 p.m.

If customers fall behind on their bills, they are encouraged to contact Xcel Energy to set up payment arrangements or seek community assistance. All inquiries can be made by calling 1-800-895-4999 or visiting Xcel Energy’s Energy Assistance page. Programs may vary by state.

“We want everyone to be comfortable, but we know a lot of people across the region have struggled financially because of a loss or reduction in income related to efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Baldridge said. “But extreme heat can sometimes be fatal, so we want to stay in communication with our customers and encourage everyone to keep an eye out for their vulnerable neighbors, especially the elderly and anyone dealing with health issues.”

Additional information on saving money on summer bills can be found at the Energy Saving Tips page at xcelenergy.com.

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About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.