MINNEAPOLIS (June 19, 2023) – Xcel Energy is ready as temperatures rise this summer and energy use increases, and the company is sharing ways customers in the Upper Midwest can stay comfortable while saving energy and money.

Xcel Energy is working to keep costs low for customers while delivering the safe, reliable energy they depend on. In 2022, about 84,000 Xcel Energy customers across Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota received approximately $100 million in assistance for their energy bills. Customers should reach out if they’re having difficulty paying their bills so Xcel Energy can help connect them to payment assistance programs or help them enroll in an Averaged Monthly Payment program to make their monthly energy bills more predictable. To learn more about energy assistance options, customers can visit xcelenergy.com/EnergyAssistance or call 1-800-895-4999.  

The company is adding nation-leading amounts of renewable energy to the grid, which saves customers money because wind and solar power generate electricity without fuel costs. From 2017 through 2022, the company’s wind farms alone saved customers $3 billion in avoided fuel costs and tax credits.

Home cooling can account for about half of a summertime electric bill. Customers can get the most out of their cooling by:

·        Installing a programmable thermostat that raises the setting when the house is empty and lowers it to a comfortable level when everyone comes home.

·        Using ceiling fans to circulate cool 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.

Learn more about Xcel Energy’s residential energy savings tips here. Xcel Energy also offers incentives and rebates that customers can use to make their homes and businesses more efficient. Learn more about those programs here.

In Minnesota, the company’s longstanding energy assistance program caps Xcel Energy costs for eligible customers at 6% of household income. Xcel Energy has received approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to modify the Minnesota Gas Affordability program and automatically enroll eligible customers.

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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.