Prepare for extreme cold
Colder weather comes with its own set of challenges, greater energy use and higher bills. That doesn’t mean you need to worry — a little preparation goes a long way.
Whether you’re concerned about staying safe and warm, want to know how to reduce your energy consumption or just want to know how to lower your bill, we’re here to help.
Stay safe during extreme cold
Our priority is always the safety of our employees, customers and the communities we serve. We want you to be prepared for inclement weather or other emergencies and encourage you to learn how we provide safe service and how you can be safer every day.
Heat your home safely
During power or natural gas outages, or even just during extreme cold temperatures, you may be tempted to use alternative heat sources to stay warm. Always prioritize safety. Only use heating devices that are rated for indoor use, and make sure they are properly ventilated according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent the buildup of harmful gases.
- Camp stoves and charcoal or propane grills should never be used indoors. Only operate them outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide exposure. Never attempt to heat your home using a gas stovetop or oven — doing so poses significant fire and health risks.
- To stay warm, consider using battery-powered heaters or indoor space heaters when appropriate. Only use propane heaters that are designed for indoor use and follow all manufacturer instructions. Seal all windows and doors to retain heat and layer clothing and blankets for insulation.
Prepare for stormy weather
We’re committed to maintaining a reliable energy system for our customers. However, we recognize that severe weather and extreme events can sometimes impact your service. To help you stay prepared and safe, here are some important steps to take ahead of a storm.
Energy bills during cold weather
We always work to provide affordable, reliable energy, but higher energy demands will likely impact your energy bill. Collectively, the steps we can all take to limit our energy usage while staying safe will help keep the energy affordable.
The bigger the temp difference the harder your system must work
Even though you might not have touched your thermostat, the workload on your heater increased as the temperature dropped. If your thermostat was set at 68 degrees and it was 18 degrees outside, it took an additional 50 degrees of heat and energy to make up that difference. On a 48-degree day, your heater would only need to make up a 20-degree difference. Cold temperatures require higher energy use to keep your home warm, even if you haven’t adjusted the temperature at all.
Energy conservation
Reducing energy consumption is one of the best ways that you can lower your energy bill while staying warm and helping make sure there is enough power to go around.
Frequently asked questions
How does Black Hills Energy prepare for extreme weather events?
Our planning begins long before these kinds of weather events through careful consideration of the energy supply needed to endure even the most extreme conditions. As the cold sets in and customer demands for energy increase, we're focused on delivering safe, reliable energy, while equipping you with ways to help reduce your usage.
We prepare for all emergency situations, including extreme weather. We have a plan in place, and we’ll execute that plan in partnership with local officials, state agencies and other community partners if needed.
How will the extreme cold affect my natural gas bill?
Higher commodity costs can occur when demand goes beyond reasonable supplies. Our natural gas system and our business continuity plans are designed with your safety as our top priority. In rare events, we have experienced significant commodity cost increases from our suppliers due to extremely high demand and natural gas production interruptions.
We encourage all customers to practice conservation mindfulness to offset the higher demand and help limit the impact on their energy bills. Learn more about conservation tips and tricks.
How does extreme cold affect my electric bill?
Usage is the largest portion of energy bills and weather is one of the biggest factors in increased usage. When temperatures are exceptionally low and usage dramatically increases across the country, the law of supply and demand can create a temporary increase in commodity prices. To reduce any bill impacts from increased demand, we strongly encourage all customers to practice conservation behaviors and adopt energy efficiency habits.
Do we make a profit on the gas going to you?
No. The cost of your natural gas is passed on to you with no mark-ups. We continuously evaluate our plans for abnormal demand and price changes to help minimize the financial impact.
