This winter, residential energy bills could rise as much as 54% over last year. According to data from the Colorado Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate, Xcel Energy bills for the average household are projected to be about $177 in December, up from $115 last year. In the winter, access to affordable heating is essential. While there are ways to reduce the cost through efficiency, energy bills are still too expensive for some. There are several programs to help vulnerable community members afford their bills.
Heat Thermostat
Through Xcel, qualified customers can arrange to spread out their bills over time, access help to pay for efficiency improvements and receive discounts. Visit Xcel Energy’s website for more information on these tools.
The state also offers two energy assistance programs through Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC): 1) Bill Payment Assistance: EOC assists families, seniors and individuals pay a portion of home heating costs. The state determines eligibility based on income level, & 2) Energy Efficiency Grants by EOC who also provides grants to affordable housing organizations, multi-family residences and non-profit facilities to pay for energy efficiency upgrades.
When energy costs rise, a simple way to save money is to cut back on how much natural gas and electricity you use in your home. Here are some simple steps:
1) Use a programmable thermostat: Programmable thermostats make it easy to adjust the temperature of your home while you’re away or sleeping. Cost savings of more than $150 per year. 2) Turn down your thermostat and dress in layers: Dressing in layers can keep you warm while relying less on your heat source. 3) Turn down your water heater: Energy used to heat water can also drive costs up. Lower temperature to reduce natural gas use. 4) Avoid using hot water unless you need it: Cold water works just fine for washing most clothing. Running your dishwasher daily can often save both energy and water.
5) Maintain your furnace: Have a professional check your furnace to ensure efficiently. Change filters as recommended. 6) Support air circulation in your home: Keep interior doors open to help air circulate freely and run a ceiling fan clockwise to push warm air down. 7) Harness sunshine: Open south-facing shades or blinds during the for heat and close the shades or blinds at night to better insulate windows. 8) Seal cracks in windows, doors, and baseboards: Seal drafty parts in your home.
9) Add insulation: Investing in high-quality insulation in attics and crawlspaces can keep temperatures comfortable year-round. 10) Install better windows: Use multi-pane options to keep heat in and cold out. 11) Get a home energy audit: Bring a professional to your home to evaluate the best, most cost-effective steps to improve efficiency. & 12) Schedule a Home Energy Squad visit by Xcel Energy, which has virtual and in-home visits available to help you take some easy first steps like installing a programmable thermostat and seal cracks.