DENVER (Dec. 31, 2021) – As crews continue work today to restore service to customers impacted by yesterday’s extremely high winds and wildfires, Xcel Energy would like to encourage Superior and Louisville customers to take steps to protect their plumbing as temperatures drop, as it will likely be several days before natural gas service can be restored to all customers in those communities.

At the request of public safety officials, Xcel Energy turned off natural gas service to customers in Superior and Louisville to minimize safety concerns related to the wildfires, along with electric service in some areas. Crews will continue to evaluate the situation in those communities today and will begin work to restore service to customers if possible. About 150 employees and contractors will be working today on restoring natural gas service to those communities, with our mutual aid partners traveling from out of state to assist. They will begin by assessing the damage, and restoration is likely to take several days for customers whose homes and businesses can accept service.

In the coming days, Superior and Louisville residents can continue to find updates on the restoration efforts at xcelenergy.com. The company is also providing electric heaters to affected customers. See details below on locations where heaters can be picked up.

Steps for protecting your home’s plumbing

With the winter weather moving in today, residents in Superior and Louisville who are without heat should consider taking some steps to protect their home’s plumbing in the cold weather.

Protecting your water pipes:

  • If the indoor temperature dips into the low 40s, it’s a good idea to drain water pipes. Shut off the water supply; open all faucets including the water heater. If you have an electric water heater, drain the hot water heating system by turning it off and leaving the valves open.
  • If the indoor temperature in your home is above 40 degrees, but you are worried about your pipes, leave a slow trickle of water running from the faucets. Flowing water will not freeze as quickly as standing water.
  • You can also contact a plumber to winterize and protect your plumbing while your heat is out.
  • Add antifreeze or recreational vehicle winterizing solution to the toilet and other pipes and traps with standing water. If you have a septic tank, antifreeze could damage it, so make sure you pump the chemical from the plumbing fixtures and pipes before they are refilled with water.
  • Before draining pipes, you may want to collect water in clean containers for drinking purposes.
  • Only a qualified professional should attempt to electrically thaw frozen pipes. A broken or corroded pipe, a plastic coupling on a pipe or any wiring defect might result in a misdirected current and potential damage.

Keep your house from cooling down:

  • With the winter weather moving in today, the company will provide electric heaters to affected customers in Superior and Louisville. To pick up an electric heater, please stop by the Red Cross shelter at YMCA in Lafayette at 2800 Dagny Way or at the Boulder YWCA at 2222 14th St.
  • Keep blinds and drapes open when it’s sunny to maximize heat in your home. Close them at other times to keep the heat inside.
  • Avoid opening doors.

Use alternate heating sources safely:

  • Use a fireplace or wood stove if available. Make sure that your chimneys and flues are clean and unobstructed, and you have proper ventilation. When using a wood-burning fireplace, be sure the damper is open and the chimney is free from obstructions and efficiently draws smoke outside.
  • Never use outdoor barbecues, kerosene heaters or camping heaters, because they emit carbon monoxide.
  • As an important safety reminder, if you ever detect a sulfur or “rotten egg” smell inside or near your home, it could be the odorant we put in natural gas to help detect leaks. If you notice that smell, leave your home immediately. Do not turn any electrical devices on or off and never use any phone until you are outside and safely away from the area. Then, call us at 1-800-895-2999. In a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.

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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.