The right rebates at the right time.

With volatile natural gas prices and tight operating budgets, natural gas-saving projects look better than ever.

For one year now, natural gas rebates have been available to Xcel Energy's retail natural-gas customers in Colorado. Given today's challenging economic times, this first "birthday" looks to be a very busy one for Xcel Energy's robust natural gas efficiency programs.

How much can you save?

Different types of businesses use energy in different ways. Depending on the nature and energy usage of your company, even a small improvement in your space heating or domestic water heating system could make a significant difference.

Know your boiler.

Xcel Energy recommends that businesses begin by taking a good close look at their boiler systems regularly, asking the following questions:

• Is it ready to run cost-effectively throughout the heating season?
• Is it tuned for reliable, efficient performance?
• Have you considered improving your existing boiler with modulating turndown burners or outdoor air reset controls?
• Are your steam traps checked and working correctly? (This is especially important as a single failed steam trap can waste more than $50 per month.)

Once these questions have been addressed, a business can formulate a cost-effective plan of action for boiler efficiency. With fast paybacks, improved comfort, lower operating costs and the plentiful rebates available to Xcel Energy business natural gas customers, boiler improvements are a better idea than ever before. Factor in possible economy-driven markdowns and stimulus funds, and there is a compelling case to be made for making energy-saving boiler improvements; from tune-ups and steam trap repairs to boiler add-ons and new, high-efficiency boilers.

Tune-ups are key.

Many Xcel Energy customers find these tune-ups to be an easy and effective way to save on energy, while ensuring that their boiler runs safely and reliably all winter long. Tune-ups, on average, save about 2% each year and have fast paybacks.

Boiler tune-up rebates are available for 25% of the project cost up to $250 per boiler as long as the tune-up meets the following requirements:

• Measure combustion efficiency using an electronic flue gas analyzer; a copy of the combustion analyzer test must accompany the rebate application
• Complete visual inspection of system piping and insulation
• Adjust air flow and reduce excessive stack temperatures
• Clean and inspect burner nozzles
• Adjust burner and gas input, manual or motorized draft control
• Check for proper venting
• Check safety controls
• Clean burners, combustion chamber and heat exchange surface, when weather or operating schedule permits
• Check adequacy of combustion air intake

Boiler tune-ups are available on the same boiler every two years.

Boiler efficiency improvements.

When a tune-up isn't enough, Xcel Energy offers rebates that help offset the initial costs of other boiler efficiency improvements.

New, high rebates on new, high-efficiency boilers.

If your business has older equipment, it might very well be worth considering replacing it with a new gas-fired boiler and auxiliary equipment. Today's high-efficiency boiler technology is less expensive, easier to operate, and with today's rising energy costs the savings can be significant. And with today's generous rebates available for new boilers, 2010 might be the ideal year to install a new system.

Custom Efficiency: Because no two projects are exactly alike.

Even if the parameters of your project exceed standard options or are not covered under Boiler Efficiency or one of Xcel Energy's other business efficiency programs, significant rebates may be available under our Custom Efficiency program.

Under Custom Efficiency, many boiler equipment components can be considered for rebates:

• Steam boilers
• Boiler systems and auxiliary equipment that don't provide space heating or domestic water heating
• Boilers larger than 10 MMBTUH
• Blowdown heat recovery
• Stack economizers
• Piping insulation
• Self-contained radiator valves
• Energy recovery ventilators
• Linkage-less controllers

All rebates available through Custom Efficiency require pre-approval prior to purchase and installation.

Make 2010 the year of the boiler; call our Business Solutions Center today.

Xcel Energy is eager to partner with natural gas customers to make your boiler systems work better and save you money. The Xcel Energy Business Solutions Center (1-800-481-4700) has complete details and answers to specific questions about all business efficiency programs, rebates and more.

DISCLAIMER: To qualify for rebates, boilers must use natural-gas fuel at the retail rate from Xcel Energy as the primary fuel, but can have duel-fuel capability for backup. Efficiency is based on full-load thermal efficiency using a natural-gas fuel and testing methodology found at AHRIdirectory.org. MMBTUH is based on boiler input capacity. 1 MMBTUH = 1 million BTU per hour