COLORADO, USA — Xcel Energy is warning customers of a wholesale natural gas price increase for the next few days. The company said the increase is due to the cold weather impacting much of the country.
While the increase in demand is driving the price of natural gas up, Xcel said the price increase is significantly smaller than the increase during Winter Storm Uri, three years ago.
The biggest step customers can take is to lower their thermostats if they have a gas furnace, according to Xcel.
With the increased demand and price of natural gas, Xcel encourages customers to conserve energy where they can. The company provided tips to help offset the price increase:
- Lower your thermostat - During winter months, set the thermostat between 65 and 70 degrees while you're home, and 58 degrees when you're away. A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your routine and could help you save on heating costs.
- Let the sunlight in and keep the cold out - Open blinds to take advantage of the sun's warmth during the day but close them at night to insulate against the cold air outside.
- Make sure exterior doors are fully closed - A major source of a home’s heat loss is from exterior doors that are left cracked open or not latched.
- Use fans to your advantage - During colder months, run ceiling fans clockwise, so the warm air near the ceiling is forced down.
- Keep your oven's heat where it belongs - Use your oven light or timer to avoid opening it often while you cook; each time the door is opened even for just a few seconds, the temperature drops 25 degrees.
- Lower your water heater's temperature or insulate it - The proper temperature for a water heater is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. By lowering it 10 degrees, you can save 3% to 5% on your water heating costs; you can also insulate it to maximize efficiency.
- Keep filters clean - Dirty furnace filters reduce airflow, requiring your furnace to work harder and use more energy. Change the filter once a month during the winter to reduce your heating costs by 5% to 15%.
- Don't let the heat escape - Affordable window sealing kits can be found in most local home improvement stores and can help you save. Have your home evaluated for leaky ducts, drafts around doors and windows, fireplace dampers and other places where air might escape.
- Improve insulation - Improving the insulation of walls, crawl spaces, floors and heating ducts is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy costs, saving you up to 10% on your monthly energy bill.
Xcel has more tips on their Energy Saving Tips page.
While natural gas customers will primarily be impacted by the price increase, Xcel also purchases natural gas to generate electricity. Electric customers can also see savings by conserving energy, Xcel said.
Customers who need assistance or need to set up a payment arrangement can visit Xcel's Energy Assistance page or call 1-800-895-4999.
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