Ef f i c i en c y C h ec k l i s t It adds up. So get down! Using our energy-saving tips can add up. Get down with energy efficiency! Open and Close: Close curtains and shades at night to protect against cold drafts; open them during the day to let in warm sunlight. De-lint the Vent: Unblocking your dryer vent can save energy and prevent a potential fire. Go Plug Crazy: Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards and places where air may leak out. Visit ResponsibleByNature.com for more ways to save energy. ¡Ahorre con nuestros consejos! Baje los gastos. Con nuestros consejos para reducir el consumo de energía podrá ahorrar mucho. ¡Baje los gastos con la eficiencia energética! Abrir y cerrar: Cierre las cortinas y persianas durante la noche para proteger la casa de corrientes de aire frías, y ábralas durante el día para que entre la cálida luz del sol. Co m m u n i t y Plug into our Free Energy Classroom We have fun, educational resources to help students in 3rd to 5th grade learn more about the power they use every day. Our online classroom features materials for teachers, help for students’ assignments, fun experiments and interactive games along with energy-related videos. Visit EnergyClassroom.com to learn more about how power is made, energy conservation, wildlife and careers in energy. Fun is only a few clicks away! A n n o u n c em en t Being Responsible By Nature is hard work, but worth it! Visit ResponsibleByNature.com for more ways to save energy. Oc tober 2 012 – NE W ME X ICO October is cool and colorful. Our sunsets dance with brilliant colors, and as fall advances, days become shorter and cooler, reminding us that our first frost is near. Read along as we provide you with news, info and energy tips to help you prepare for the change in season ahead. I N TH I S I SSUE Progr am of the M onth : Energy-efficient lights Safe t y: We work hard every day to provide you with reliable, safe, clean and affordable energy. You can read about how we performed in 2011, and you’ll meet a few Xcel Energy employees who share their on-the-job experiences. Our annual Corporate Responsibility Report is ready for your perusal! Limpie el respiradero de pelusas: Unblocking your dryer vent can save energy and prevent a potential fire. A sellar todo: Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards and places where air may leak out. ENERGY UPDATE Power line safety for you My Ac c ount: Manage energy bills online Effi c ien cy C hec k li st: Energy tips to help you save C o m mun it y: Check out the report at xcelenergy.com/CorporateResponsibility. Free fun with Energy Classroom An n oun c e m ent: Read our Corporate Responsibility Report Participation in Xcel Energy programs is subject to important terms, conditions and eligibility restrictions. Visit xcelenergy.com/Rebates and click on the individual program name to get the details. FPO Cert no. SW-COC-1865 10% xcelenergy.com | © 2012 Xcel Energy Inc. | Xcel Energy is a registered trademark of Xcel Energy Inc. | Southwestern Public Service Company, an Xcel Energy Company. | 12-08-404 | 08/12 00087090 R eb at e o f t h e Mo n t h Safet y M y Ac c o u n t Manage all of your bills online Shape up your sockets for winter There’s a chill in the air. Before you know it, winter will be in full swing. With shorter days and less sunshine in the coming months, you’ll be turning on the lights a lot more often. Get your sockets in shape for the season, with energy-efficient lighting. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs*) can go a long way toward reducing your long-term energy bills. They use fewer watts than incandescents, and can last up to 10 times longer. So, between not having to purchase light bulbs as often, and the energy efficiency you get with a CFL, you could save up to $50 every time you switch. Plus, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so there’s one to fit every socket in your home. Stay Away. Stay Safe. Stay Alive. Before you begin fall chores, look up. With power lines nearby, even simple tasks like pruning a tree or cleaning gutters can become hazardous. Always keep yourself and any tool you use at least 10 feet away from the line. If a storm causes a power line to fall or hang low, never touch or try to move it. Assume all power lines are energized! Make every minute of your day count. Maximize your time by managing your account and paying bills online, through My Account with eBill. On average, over 50,000 customers log on every day to learn about energy use, get tips on conserving energy and reducing their bills, set up optional email alerts and more. You can too! Enroll or learn more at xcelenergy.com/MyAccount. Add eBill by logging back in, clicking on the Current eBill tab and following the prompts to add it. Call us at 1-800-895-1999 to report outages or emergencies. *CFLs contain mercury and need to be recycled. We offer discounts on CFLs. Get bulbs for as little as $1 each at participating retail locations. Visit ResponsibleByNature.com to find a location near you. Manténgase alejado. Manténgase a salvo. Manténgase con vida. Antes de comenzar con las tareas de otoño, mire hacia arriba. Si hay cables de electricidad en las inmediaciones, hasta las tareas más simples, como podar un árbol o limpiar las canaletas, pueden ser peligrosas. En todo momento manténgase usted y cualquier herramienta a por lo menos 10 pies de distancia del cable. Si un cable de electricidad se cae o queda colgando cerca del suelo a causa de una tormenta, nunca lo toque ni trate de moverlo. Dé por sentado que todos los cables tienen corriente eléctrica. Llame al 1-800-895-1999 para informar sobre cualquier corte de electricidad o emergencia. E N ER G Y U P DATE Oc tober 2 012 – NE W ME X ICO