MINNEAPOLIS (July 24, 2023) – With temperatures expected to climb toward triple digits this week across the Upper Midwest, Xcel Energy is encouraging customers to consider ways to save energy and keep their bills low. Home cooling can account for about half of a summertime electric bill.

There are several steps customers can take to save energy, including:

  • Installing a programmable thermostat that raises the temperature when the house is empty and lowers it to a comfortable level when everyone comes home.
  • Running ceiling fans counter-clockwise in the summer to circulate cooler air throughout the home.
  • Opening interior doors to improve the circulation of cool air inside.
  • Using a whole-house or attic fan to draw in cool nighttime air and push out hot air during the day.
  • Changing air conditioner filters and having your air conditioner coils cleaned to improve efficiency.
  • Closing drapes and blinds during the heat of the day.

Customers can also reduce their overall bills by:

  • Turning off lights and electronics when they’re not in use.
  • Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs, which use 75%-80% less energy than traditional bulbs and last 15 times longer.
  • Running washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers with full loads and only after the heat of the day. This helps keeps the house cooler and reduces strain on the electric grid.

Xcel Energy is prepared to help keep customers comfortable and is ready to serve anticipated increased energy demand. Learn more about the company’s residential energy savings tips. Xcel Energy also offers incentives and rebates that customers can use to make their homes and businesses more efficient.

Customers who want to lower their energy use and electricity bills beyond this week’s heat wave have several opportunities available to them. Minnesota customers can sign up for a Home Energy Squad visit, where a trained auditor will install free upgrades – like LED lightbulbs, energy-efficient showerheads and weatherstripping – and recommend next steps. In addition, residential customers can enroll in the Saver’s Switch and AC Rewards programs, which help support the energy grid during very high use. Customers are financially compensated for enrolling in Saver’s Switch and AC Rewards.

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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.