Smart meters communicate energy use electronically through Xcel Energy’s wireless network. A smart meter is capable of two-way communication allowing Xcel Energy to send information to the meter as well as transmitting meter readings to Xcel Energy. This allows customers to know exactly how much energy they are using and what it will cost them.  Find an overview of meters here. 

For more on smart meters, visit Xcel Energy's Smart Meter webpage.

Yes. Customers have the option to opt out of a smart meter and instead receive a non-communicating meter. Customers who opt out of smart meter installation will be charged an additional monthly fee of $11.84 per meter to cover the cost of manual meter reads.

Customers who do not opt out prior to receiving their smart meter but later decide to opt out will pay a trip charge of $46 to replace their smart meter with a non-communicating meter.

To opt out of receiving a smart meter, residential customers can connect with a customer service representative at 800-895-4999. Small commercial customers can call 800-481-4700. 

For more information, visit Xcel Energy's Smart Meter Installation webpage.

Following installation of smart meters, customers were automatically enrolled in Time of Use. With the Time of Use rate, electricity prices depend on the amount (in kilowatt hours (kWh)) of energy used during different times of the day. This means that when you use energy is just as important as how much energy you use.  

In Colorado, there are three time periods related to Time of Use pricing.  

• Off-peak hours (7 p.m. - 1 p.m.): Average customer energy costs are 55% lower than on-peak hours and 40% lower than mid-peak hours to reflect the lower energy production costs during this time.  

• Mid-peak hours (1 p.m - 3 p.m.): Energy costs are higher to reflect higher energy production costs. 

• On- peak hours (3 p.m - 7 p.m.): Energy costs are highest to reflect highest energy production costs.  

Weekends and holidays are billed at the off-peak rate of the current season. For current pricing, please visit xcelenergy.com/TOU.

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Any customer can opt out of the Time of Use rate with a 30-day notice to Xcel Energy. Customers who opt out of the Time of Use rate will be placed on the Residential Opt-Out rate. This rate changes seasonally, regardless of what time the customer uses energy or how much energy they use. In order to formally opt out, customers should call 800-895-4999. For more information, visit: xcelenergy.com/TOU.

The Time of Use rate allows you to pay based on both when and how much energy you use. The more you shift usage to lower-priced periods, the more you can save. Here are some resources to help you start saving today: 

• Infographic of Savings for common appliances
• Xcel Energy’s Time of Use Tips

By shifting your energy usage to off-peak times you can:  

• Save money on your electricity bill 

• Help use a greater percentage of renewable energy during off-peak hours when wind and solar are more readily available 

• Help avoid the need to build new power plants in the future