Tips for Superior and Louisville customers to protect their home’s plumbing while heat is out

Xcel Energy Media Relations

1800 Larimer Str., Suite # 900

Denver, Colorado 80202

(303) 294-2300

www.xcelenergy.com

Tips for Superior and Louisville customers to help protect their home’s plumbing while the heating goes down

Electric heaters are available to affected customers at two locations

DENVER (December 31, 2021) – As crews continue to work today to restore service to customers affected by yesterday’s extremely high winds and forest fires, Xcel Energy encourages Superior and Louisville customers to take steps to protect their pipelines to take when temperatures drop as it is expected to be several days before all customers in these communities can be supplied with natural gas again.

At the request of public safety officials, Xcel Energy is tailoring its natural gas service to customers in Superior and Louisville to minimize safety concerns related to the forest fires, as well as providing electricity in some areas. The crews will continue to assess the situation in these communities today and begin work to restore service to customers whenever possible. Approximately 150 employees and contractors will be working today to restore gas supplies to these communities, with our mutual aid partners traveling from overseas to help. You will first assess the damage, and recovery will likely take several days for customers whose homes and businesses can accept the service.

In the coming days, residents of Superior and Louisville will still be able to find out about the restoration work on xcelenergy.com. The company also supplies affected customers with electric heaters. Please see below for more information on the locations where heaters can be picked up.

Steps to Protect Your Home’s Plumbing

With winter weather arriving today, Superior and Louisville residents who don’t have heating should take some measures to protect their home’s plumbing in cold weather.

Protect your water pies:

  • If the internal temperature drops below 40s, it is a good idea to drain the water pipes. Turn off the water supply; Open all taps, including the water heater. If you have an electric water heater, drain the hot water heating system by turning it off and leaving the valves open.
  • If the temperature inside your house is over 40 degrees but you are concerned about your pipes, run a slow trickle of water from the taps. Running water does not freeze as quickly as standing water.
  • You can also contact a plumber to winterize and protect your plumbing while your heater goes down.
  • Add antifreeze or RV winter protection solution to the toilet and other pipes and siphons of standing water. If you have a septic tank, antifreeze could damage it. So make sure to pump the chemical out of the plumbing fixtures and pipes before adding water to them.
  • Before emptying pipes, you should collect water for drinking in clean containers.
  • Only a qualified professional should attempt to electrically thaw frozen pipes. A broken or corroded pipe, a plastic coupling on a pipe, or a wiring defect can result in misdirected power and possible damage.

So that your house doesn’t cool down:

  • With the winter weather moving in today, the company will make electric heaters available to affected customers in Superior and Louisville. To pick up an electric heater, please come to the Rotkreuz accommodation YMCA at Lafayette, 2800 Dagny Way or at the Boulder YWCA in 2222 14th St.
  • Keep the blinds and curtains open when it’s sunny to maximize the warmth in your home. Close them at other times to keep the heat inside.
  • Avoid opening doors.

Be sure to use alternative sources of heat:

  • Use a fireplace or wood stove if you have one. Make sure your chimneys and chimneys are clean and clear, and that you have adequate ventilation. If you are using a wood-burning fireplace, make sure the hatch is open and the chimney is clear of obstructions and is efficiently pulling smoke outside.
  • Never use outdoor grills, kerosene stoves, or camping heaters as these emit carbon monoxide.
  • As an important safety reminder, if you ever notice a sulfur or “rotten egg” smell in or near your home, it could be the odorant we put in natural gas to detect leaks. If you notice this smell, leave your home immediately. Do not turn any electrical appliances on or off or use a phone until you are outside and safely out of the area. Then give us a call at 1-800-895-2999. Call 9-1-1 in a life threatening emergency.

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About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is the power that powers millions of homes and businesses in eight states in the West and Midwest. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and manufacturing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Michelle Aguayo

Xcel energy

Media officer

1800 Larimer Suite 900 Denver, CO 80202-5533

P: 303.294.2300 Q: 303.294.2207 E: [email protected]

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XCELENERGY.COM

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