EFFECT ON UTILITY BILLS

How we use energy within our homes can make a huge impact on the efficiency and overall performance of a house. Understanding your energy use by reviewing utility bills and monitoring how you use lighting, appliances, thermostats, and electronics can help you set energy saving goals and lower your utility bills.

Energy Savings in Home Office and Entertainment

If you are creating a home office or entertainment center, an important consideration beyond materials selection is energy use. These spaces tend to have energy-hungry equipment, and most office and entertainment appliances have ENERGY STAR options available. The most effective way to save energy is to be aware of what the equipment uses when left on. Ideally, set equipment to power off or automatically go into standby or hibernate mode. Learn about best practices to incorporate when designing and furnishing your new office or entertainment center. Compare average consumption of appliances. Search for ENERGY STAR office products. 

Understanding Your Utility Bill

Xcel Energy makes it very easy to understand items on your utility bill and the simple things you can do to be more energy efficient can help you keep your energy costs down.

Billing Checklist
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Glossary
Minnesota

Minnesota Rates
Learn more about what goes into determining your rates