Colder temperatures have moved into Minnesota and are expected to blanket most of the country over the next week. 

Xcel Energy reminds customers it offers tips and programs to help them save on their energy bills as they head into the winter heating season. They also encourage customers to reach out if they’re having trouble paying their energy bills, so Xcel can help with payment plans or connect them to energy assistance programs that can help.

Take Steps to Save

While natural gas continues to be the most affordable way to heat a home, with prices higher than usual, it’s a good time to consider ways to conserve energy as we head into the heating season. 

Here are ways customers can save energy and money this winter: 

• Lower your thermostat a few degrees, ideally to 68 degrees or lower; 

• Adjust your programmable thermostat to automatically lower the temperature while you are away or while you sleep;

• During daylight hours, open drapes and blinds to maximize heat from direct sunlight. To retain heat, keep them closed when it is dark;

• Run ceiling fans in a clockwise direction to push warm air down from the ceiling, adding comfort and savings; 

• Keep interior doors open to help circulate air more freely and maintain constant heating levels. 

Find more ways to save on the energy savings tips page on xcelenergy.com. Customers can also learn more about programs, incentives and rebates that can help make homes and businesses more energy efficient.

Cold Weather Rule and Energy Assistance Programs

Under the Cold Weather Rule, administered by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), residential customers are protected from service disconnection from October 1 through April 30, if the disconnection would affect the customer’s primary heating source. To sign up, customers must contact their natural gas or electric utility company and request a Cold Weather Rule payment plan. Once a customer sets up a payment plan and keeps it, they are protected from having their heat disconnected during that time period.

The Energy Assistance Program administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce helps renters and homeowners who are struggling to pay their utility bills keep their home heated, lights on, water running and more. For more information and to see if you qualify, visit mn.gov/energyassistance.

If a customer is having trouble paying their bill, they are encouraged to contact Xcel Energy so the Customer Care team can provide payment plan options and additional resources. To learn more, visit the Xcel Energy website or call 1-800-895-4999.

Nationwide Increases in Natural Gas Prices

Natural gas commodity prices remain high due to global supply and demand, impacting both gas and electric bills. Xcel Energy purchases natural gas at wholesale, and the cost of the natural gas provided to customers and used to generate electricity is passed along to customers without markup.

To protect against market fluctuations in the price, Xcel Energy takes a number of steps, including storing natural gas for use during the heating season, contracting for natural gas in advance, and purchasing financial hedges, which act like insurance to protect customers from significant price changes. For its electric customers, the company has a diverse energy mix, with many energy sources that can be used to minimize the effect of natural gas price increases on electric bills.