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Xcel Energy Blames New Meter After Bill Triples In Amount

DENVER (CBS4)- A family in the Denver metro area had some questions for Xcel Energy after their utility bill increased three-fold when they got a new meter.

"This has got to be wrong," said Xcel Energy customer Dwight Hall.

Hall said his meter was replaced by Xcel Energy earlier this month and his latest bill reflects a usage amount three times normal.

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Dwight Hall checks his Xcel meter (credit: CBS)

"We didn't add any new equipment, we didn't change anything and it jumped up three times," said Hall.

Xcel told CBS4 that a part in Hall's meter failed. That part helped read the kilowatt usage. Xcel replaced the meter.

"I called customer service and talked to one person up there and basically their answer was there was nothing they could do for me," said Hall.

xcel-bill-triples
(credit: CBS)

That's when Hall called CBS4 and showed his previous bills from year to year where the amount never changed.

Last month, a woman in Boulder suffered from a similar problem. Her bill jumped five times after a meter change.

"If I'm barely using my electricity now, and it's almost $200, what will it be like in December and January?" asked Michelle.

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(credit: CBS)

Xcel said they are looking into the concerns.

"I'll pay for what I've used. I don't have a problem with that, I just have a problem with them not being able to explain why it jumped," said Hall.

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