Xcel Energy offers advice for extreme heat

With forecasted temperatures into the mid- and upper 90s into early next week, Xcel Energy is reaching out to customers. 

“Xcel Energy maintains a diverse energy mix and robust electric system to provide customers with the safe and reliable energy they depend on during periods of extreme weather,” the utility said in a statement.

“In the event of service disruptions, restoration efforts will prioritize the largest outages first to restore power to the greatest number of customers as quickly and safely as possible.”

Xcel encourages customers to stay weather aware, take precautions to avoid heat-related illness and have a plan in place in case severe weather causes power outages.

Save energy and money

The average monthly electric bill for an Xcel Energy residential customer is 32 percent below the national average. Still, cooling costs can account for half of a summertime electric bill, so the company is providing tips to customers to practice energy efficiency while staying cool:

• Install a programmable thermostat that raises its setting when the house is empty and lowers it to a comfortable level when everyone comes home.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air throughout the home.
• Open interior doors to improve the circulation of cool air inside.
• Use a whole-house or attic fan to draw in cool nighttime air.
• Change air conditioner filters and having air conditioner coils cleaned to improve efficiency.
• Close drapes and blinds during the heat of the day.
• Turn off lights and electronics when they’re not in use.
• Run washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers with full loads and only after the heat of the day. This helps keep the house cooler and reduces strain on the electric grid.

During periods of extreme heat and poor air quality, new safeguards will keep power connected for customers who are scheduled to be disconnected. The company also can reconnect power temporarily for customers who were disconnected for nonpayment if they have a smart meter installed that is capable of remote reconnections. Xcel Energy will proactively identify disconnected customers in the area of the event to offer reconnection of electric service.

Affected customers will receive a text message or automated phone call regarding the option to be reconnected. For safety reasons, customers must respond to this message, use the My Account platform online or contact an Xcel Energy representative at 866-235-6881 to have their electric service temporarily restored. Once the heat or air quality event is over, power will be disconnected again, but customers will have the option to enroll in a payment plan to continue service.

Go online to find more energy savings tips or to learn about the programs, incentives and rebates available when making energy-efficiency upgrades to homes and businesses. Xcel Energy encourages customers who are having trouble paying their energy bills to reach out to learn about payment plans or energy assistance programs.