Xcel on the rise and through the roof?

Question

HOLY SMOKES!  Anyone else get their April Xcel bill and about fall off your chair?  Its more than one of my units rent for!  Any commiseration or ideas would be goodness about now!

Evan Kraljic · Answer

Hmm, I know gas prices have gone up a lot but that is centerpoint, not Xcel. I checked my Xcel bill and it still looks like they are charging between 11 and 12 cents per kWh, which has been unchanged for me for awhile. Do you have electric heat then I presume? I would possibly recommend getting a home energy squad audit done to see where you can improve. They are pretty affordable (I think $70 when I got mine, or free if income qualifies) and you can learn a lot from them, plus they give free smaller energy efficiency upgrades and write out a plan detailing potential upgrades for you.

Insulation is generally the best bang for your buck when it comes to ROI on utilities, from what I've heard. I got a whole attic insulated up to like R40 or R50 for around 1800, then got a 500 rebate from centerpoint. That is actually a rental where tenants pay the electric so I'm not sure how much I'm saving there, but I thought it was a worthwhile upgrade nonetheless

Heather S. · Answer

Xcel is actually both the electric AND gas carrier in Saint Paul (I know, weird right? No Centerpoint!).  I'm actually boiler heating so its gas heating the boiler.  Interesting idea with the energy squad audit though.  I may have that done.