energy efficiency Archives | Citizens Utility Board https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/tag/energy-efficiency/ Fight utility rate hikes, promote clean energy, and advocate for consumer protections in Illinois. Fri, 25 Jul 2025 21:52:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cropped-CUB_LogoBadgeAlt-32x32.png energy efficiency Archives | Citizens Utility Board https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/tag/energy-efficiency/ 32 32 We asked CUB supporters for their best energy efficiency tips https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2025/07/25/we-asked-cub-supporters-their-best-energy-efficiency-tips/ Fri, 25 Jul 2025 21:07:35 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=43377 This month, we asked email subscribers to submit their best energy efficiency tips and we got many creative answers outside of CUB’s standard energy efficiency tips. Here’s a few of our favorite submissions:   Victoria: “I spent some of my early years in Atlanta, GA in the 1940s and learned from neighbors there that when the heat of the day was at its peak we should close all blinds and shades and utilize fans (often handheld) to maintain coolness for our bodies. Splashing cool water on our skin was also helpful. With our current rash of heat waves it helps to keep old strategies along with new ones in our toolbox of adaptations.” Linda: “I have only a window air conditioning unit in my bedroom. When it is excessively hot, I close the door and turn on the AC unit for about 2 hours before bedtime. I turn it off when I turn the light out for sleep rather than run it all night. The AC cools the room and removes the humidity which makes the room a lot more comfortable. In very warm weather, I try to do laundry around times that are not general office hours. I also sometimes hang clothes up (until they are) about half dry and pop them in the dryer for a shorter time, using less gas and electricity but still getting rid of wrinkles.” Eric: “We turn our air conditioner off at every opportunity and open the windows. We have a few small fans we use to move through the house by putting them in windows blowing out to draw air from other windows across the room or house. If the temperature outside is below 78, we are cooling with outside air and fans instead of the AC.” Susan: “I’m retired, so I signed up for ComEd Hourly Pricing. I keep the Five-Minute Prices link active and make sure that I run my dishwasher, laundry, etc., at low-cost times.” (CUB note: Hourly Pricing is a special electricity pricing program that charges customers a market price that can change hourly. Susan is talking about a page Hourly Pricing participants can visit to say the latest prices. Ameren has a similar program, which the next consumer, Ron, discusses below.) Ron: “I have solar panels, Ameren’s Power Smart Pricing program (Time of Day rate), and a Volt plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Most of the time I drive on sunshine (solar power). I use very little gasoline, hence reducing my carbon footprint. June was hot and sunny, so I produced a record amount of solar electricity (1335.8 KWH). This was 153 KWH more than I used. Solar and a plug-in hybrid EV are very energy efficient.” Kiersten: ”Keep working on replacing your lightbulbs with LEDs!  There are so many homes and commercial buildings still using incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs… Solar LEDs with motion sensors are so much better!” Richard: “Make sure your air conditioner condenser is clean after all tree flowers have dropped. A dirty condenser really lowers efficiency.”   Mel: “If you own your home, check your attic for plenty of insulation. Adding extra insulation keeps heating […]

The post We asked CUB supporters for their best energy efficiency tips appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>
Breaking: CUB statement on final passage of budget bill https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2025/07/03/breaking-cub-statement-on-passage-of-budget-bill/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 18:48:53 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=43267 A statement from Jim Chilsen, Director of Communications, Citizens Utility Board (CUB): The budget reconciliation bill that passed today represents higher power bills for consumers in Illinois and across the country. Tax credits that help everyday people use solar power or energy efficiency to cut costs at home are wildly popular and highly successful. These incentives are cost-effective ways to cut utility bills, reduce energy prices for everyone, make the grid more reliable, create jobs and spark the economy. This federal legislation ramps up the importance of Illinois continuing to pass strong, pro-consumer energy legislation, such as the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act, to build off what we have achieved and better protect consumers from high utility bills. These times call for strong consumer advocacy, and CUB is dedicated to working for consumer interests at the local, state, regional and federal levels as we fight for lower utility bills across Illinois. Background:  The House of Representatives passed the budget reconciliation bill on Thursday, July 3, by a vote of 218-214. The bill passed the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The vote was 50-50, with the Vice President breaking the tie. The federal legislation now heads to the President for signing. Among other things, the bill ends these tax credits by Dec. 31, 2025: The “residential clean energycredit” helps consumers recoup up to 30 percent of the costs of energy-saving projects, like installing rooftop solar The “energyefficient home improvement credit” helps people recoup up to 30 percent of the cost (up to $1,200/a year) for energy-saving projects, like a professional home energy audit; installing insulation; door, window and electric panel upgrades; and installing a high-efficiency air-conditioning unit. (There’s an additional credit of up to $2,000 available for buying an electric heat pump or heat pump water heater.) Multiple studies have shown that rolling back clean energy tax credits could increase the average family’s energy bill by hundreds of dollars within a decade. In Illinois, the League of Conservation Voters has estimated that the legislation could lead to a $168 a year increase in residential energy bills, and a 21 percent increase in commercial and industrial energy bills.

The post Breaking: CUB statement on final passage of budget bill appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>
Jumpstart your spring cleaning with energy efficiency tips from CUB https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2025/03/03/jumpstart-your-spring-cleaning-with-energy-efficiency-tips-from-cub/ Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:15:35 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=42459 It’s time to get your home ready for warmer weather. Remember, energy efficiency is just as important during hot weather as it is in cold, so consider adding these home maintenance tasks to your spring cleaning checklist:   Air conditioning maintenance. A properly maintained AC system can help you save hundreds a year. Clean or replace your air conditioning unit’s filter every one to two months to ensure proper and efficient performance. (This is true whether you have a window unit or a central AC system). Vacuum your air intake vents regularly to remove dust and clear registers of objects that might block the airflow. Also, have an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) specialist inspect your central air conditioner at least once a year–and the spring is a good time.  Check your windows and doors. After the winter, there may be damage to your windows and doors that could cause cool air to escape, taking your hard-earned money with it. Check for any leaks or cracks and seal them with weatherstripping or caulk, which you can buy at your local hardware store. Take stock of your window and door screens. Look for any areas that need patching. Remove your storm windows and replace them with screens, and if you have a screen door dust it off and inspect it, and plan to install it. Screens allow natural breezes to circulate in your home on mild summer days.  Consider investing in fans. By strategically using floor and ceiling fans, along with existing ventilation, you can get away with setting your thermostat one to two degrees higher and save money on your power bills. Giving your current fans a good cleaning once they’re out of storage can help them run more efficiently.  Switch the direction of your ceiling fans. In colder months, run your ceiling fan clockwise (from your position, looking up at it). When the weather gets warm, it’s time to run your ceiling fans counterclockwise (CUB has instructions on how to do that) to push cool air down. Circulating cool air will reduce the need for your air conditioner to work as hard (you can set it a few degrees higher), saving energy and money. Don’t forget to turn off the fan when you leave the room–fans cool people, not rooms. (Bonus tip: If you haven’t used your ceiling fans since last summer, be sure to wipe down the blades to remove any dust that has accumulated.) Consider upgrading your thermostat. If you want more control of your energy bills this summer, consider replacing your old thermostat with a programmable one or a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats use sensors that continuously monitor temperature, humidity, and other variables throughout your house. According to Energystar.gov, on average, smart thermostats save customers 8% on heating and cooling bills yearly. Get a home energy assessment. Many utilities offer home energy assessments at no cost to the customer–and oftentimes you can get free products, such as LED bulbs, to help improve your home’s efficiency. Ask your gas/electric company about such services. Here’s info about ComEd’s program, which offers extra benefits for lower-income customers, and Ameren’s […]

The post Jumpstart your spring cleaning with energy efficiency tips from CUB appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>
CUB update: What about those appliance rebates in the Inflation Reduction Act? https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2024/11/08/cub-update-what-about-those-appliance-rebates-in-the-inflation-reduction-act/ Fri, 08 Nov 2024 21:50:40 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=41792 CUB gets a lot of questions from consumers wondering when they’ll be able to enjoy appliance rebates offered through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). We’ve got information about where Illinois is in the process of launching that rebate program–as well as some proposed changes to it.   The IRA, federal legislation that the president signed into law in 2022, contains several tax credits and rebates helping consumers to improve their home’s energy efficiency and enjoy the benefits of electrification. Some provisions are available to Illinois consumers now, including:  Home Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Tax Credit: Allows consumers to claim up to $1,200 a year until 2033 for energy efficiency upgrades, such as home energy audits and electric panel upgrades. It provides a separate $2,000 one-time tax credit for space or water heater upgrades. Clean Energy Tax Credit: Allows consumers to receive up to 30 percent of project costs back for rooftop solar, geothermal heat pumps, or battery storage. Additionally, there is a $7,500 income-qualified tax credit available for new electric vehicles. However, so far, Illinois has not implemented another IRA provision: the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR). In order to receive federal funding and launch the rebate program, each state must submit an application and receive approval by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Office of Energy) submitted its HEAR application in the summer of 2024, and it’s currently awaiting DOE approval.  While we wait, here’s more information about the program as well as changes to the incentives that will be offered:   A big advantage of the HEAR rebate is that – unlike the tax credits we describe above – it’s accessible even if you don’t owe federal taxes. Under the HEAR program, Illinois consumers will be able to receive rebates of up to $14,000 on home electrification projects, and the program will give them the flexibility to mix and match from different rebate categories. For example, a consumer could receive multiple rebates–such as up to $840 for an electric stove and up to $8,000 for an electric heat pump–until they hit the $14,000 cap.  Once it gets the OK to launch the program, the Illinois EPA plans to modify the income qualifications so that lower median income households can access program funds first.  Initially, the program was designed for consumers at or below 80 percent to 150 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Consumers at 80 percent AMI or less were able to take advantage of rebates covering the full cost of a project, up to the $14,000 cap. Anyone who fell at 81 percent to 150 percent AMI were eligible to have half of the project cost covered, up to the $14,000 cap.  But Illinois has proposed changing eligibility to lower-income households (80 percent AMI or lower) only and adjusting funding distribution, based on demand and interest.  Another important detail: Unlike with programs in other states, the Illinois EPA has said they are not planning to issue retroactive rebates through this program. This is different from other states’ programs, so it’s important to note this when planning your energy efficiency upgrades. As […]

The post CUB update: What about those appliance rebates in the Inflation Reduction Act? appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>
Illinois Future of Gas: The Energy Efficiency Meeting https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2024/11/07/illinois-future-of-gas-the-energy-efficiency-meeting/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:29:29 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=41773 By Scott Allen, Energy Policy Specialist  The purpose of this workshop (10/21/24) was to discuss the role and importance of energy efficiency in decarbonizing the gas system. In a word, I’d describe this workshop as “dizzying.”   During these workshops I’ve become accustomed to the gas industry making fantastical claims that the only viable pathway to a clean energy future is, oddly, going backwards–expanding gas infrastructure and adopting unproven, expensive technologies like “renewable natural gas.” But today’s meeting was astonishing.   It started off on a more positive note. The first presenter, from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), began with a definition of energy efficiency (EE): “Use of technology, systems or behaviors to accomplish the same task with less energy.”  Additionally,  EE measures are the cheapest, most effective decarbonization tools available. Retrofits not only save consumers money, they also decrease the need for new power generation.  EE measures are necessary across all categories of energy users, not just residential. As ACEEE put it, energy efficiency “is a first fuel for energy transitions.”  When we consider alternatives to building more expensive gas pipes, EE and weatherization measures–coupled with electric appliances–are critical to making a transition feasible, equitable and affordable.  This is especially true for older houses and buildings where the “building envelope” has degraded substantially.  According to the presentation, weatherizing those buildings can save consumers “11-47%” annually on their energy bills.  However, we have to keep in mind that such “deep retrofits” can be expensive, and for people struggling to get by, they are prohibitively expensive.  As the ACEEE speaker suggests, and CUB agrees, Illinois must ensure that we have funds available to help people in need. Another challenge for the implementation of aggressive EE and weatherization retrofits is having a workforce available to perform the work. While the existing EE/weatherization workforce far outnumbers fossil fuel workers, we need tens of thousands more people trained in that field, including HVAC contractors who understand how to size and prepare a building for super-efficient heat pump technology.   But we can’t let such challenges slow the adoption rate because, as ACEEE pointed out, heat pumps can achieve 400% efficiency (gas furnaces can at most achieve 100%), they can be used in other appliances like water heaters and clothes dryers, and despite claims to the contrary, cold-weather heat pumps have been in use for years in sub-zero conditions. Still, it is important to keep in mind that heat pumps work best in buildings that are properly weatherized. (Check out CUB’s free Better Heat guide to learn more about getting your home ready for electrification.)   The next presentation was given by three of Illinois’ top gas utilities: Peoples/North Shore Gas and Nicor Gas.  We didn’t hear anything in this presentation that the same utilities hadn’t  already said in past workshops, except that their tagline seemed to be “we can do better.”  It’s hard to guess what they meant. Each speaker started with statistics from their company’s energy efficiency program, pointing out that not only have they managed to decrease the carbon footprint of their users, but that they have saved their customers thousands of dollars. […]

The post Illinois Future of Gas: The Energy Efficiency Meeting appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>
Washington Post: Hiring a contractor for home electrification projects? Ask these questions! https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2024/05/17/washington-post-hiring-a-contractor-for-home-electrification-projects-ask-these-questions/ Fri, 17 May 2024 11:34:04 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=40326 The Washington Post provided a helpful checklist of key questions to ask for consumers wanting to electrify their homes. “Home upgrades are rarely easy, but home electrification projects present a novel challenge,” writes Climate Advice Columnist Michael J. Coren. “The technology inside modern appliances such as heat pumps, water heaters, induction stoves and EV chargers advances quickly. Devices may talk to the electrical grid and each other. Not everyone is prepared to treat the home as a digital, interconnected system, especially for homes that were designed for the fossil-fuel era.” But energy efficiency and electrification are key, if we want to effectively fight climate change and reach net zero by 2050, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Post asked more than a dozen experts and contractors for tips on how to pick solid electrification contractors for projects like installing an induction stove, a heat pump or solar panels. Here are some questions to ask: What’s the (energy efficiency) state of your home? Before you begin any project, make your home as energy efficient as possible. Consider an energy audit (and remember, you can get a tax credit) or at least a DIY audit. What do you want to electrify? Don’t wait for an appliance to break, start creating your electrification plan now. Doing projects in the right order can avoid expensive hassles, such as having to bring an electrician back for multiple projects. Check out Rewiring America’s electrification planner and RMI’s green upgrade calculator. Do you need a second opinion? Do your own research, but consider seeking the insight of an engineering professional (a mechanical or electrical engineer) to make the best choices on electrification technologies. This guidance comes with a cost, of course, but the price tag can be worth it if it leads to equipment and efficiency savings. Will the contractor give you options? Some contractors may only push a system they know, and that can be dead wrong. For example, a contractor may tell you that heat pumps don’t work in cold climates. “That’s a myth derived from the limitations of models from the 1970s,” The Post reports. Modern heat pumps work down to minus-25 degrees, Energy Star says. The right contractor won’t hem and haw; the right contractor will find electrification solutions for you, no matter where you live.  The Post offers this guide about asking the right HVAC questions.  How can you tell if your contractor is qualified? Look for lists of contractors verified by third parties, such as state and local governments, as well as appliance manufacturers. Other options include national lists (such as EPA-recognized contractor directories), testing organizations (such as North American Technician Excellence and industry trade associations (such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, or ACCA). To read the full checklist, see The Washington Post article here. Also, read these additional CUB resources: Heat Pumps: A Buyer’s Checklist What’s the deal with air source heat pumps? CUB investigates CUB’s Better Heat Guide (statewide version) And more at our Electrification page 

The post Washington Post: Hiring a contractor for home electrification projects? Ask these questions! appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>
Spring into savings with CUB’s energy efficiency tips https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2024/03/13/spring-into-savings-with-cubs-energy-efficiency-tips/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:33:55 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=39677 It’s time to get your home ready for warmer weather. Remember: Energy efficiency is just as important during the spring and summer as it is during the winter so make sure to include these home maintenance tasks on your spring cleaning checklist:   Air conditioning maintenance. Clean or replace your air conditioning unit filters every one to two months to ensure proper and efficient performance. Also, have an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) specialist inspect your air conditioner at least yearly. A properly maintained AC system can help you save hundreds a year. Check your windows and doors. After the cold, wet winter, there may be damage to your windows and doors that could cause cool air to escape, taking your hard-earned money with it. Check for any leaks or cracks and seal them with weatherstripping or caulk, which you can buy for a modest price from the hardware store. Take out storm windows and doors. Remove your storm windows and replace your glass front doors with screen doors so you can allow natural breezes to circulate in your home on milder days. Think about investing in fans. By investing in and strategically using floor and ceiling fans, along with other sources of ventilation, you can get away with setting your thermostat one to two degrees higher and save money on your power bills. Switch the direction of your ceiling fans. If you follow our tips and have a ceiling fan, you should be running it clockwise (from your position, looking up at it) through the colder months  When the weather gets warm, it’s time to run your ceiling fans counterclockwise (CUB instructions on how to do that) to push cool air down. Circulating cool air will reduce the need for your air conditioner to work as hard, saving energy and money. Don’t forget to turn off the fan when you leave the room–fans cool people, not rooms. (Bonus tip: If you haven’t used your ceiling fans since last summer, be sure to wipe down the blades to remove any dust that has accumulated.) Upgrade your thermostat. If you want more control of your energy bills this summer, consider replacing your old thermostat with a programmable one or a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats use sensors that continuously monitor temperature, humidity, and other variables throughout your house. According to Energystar.gov, on average, smart thermostats save customers 8% on heating and cooling bills yearly. Get a free assessment. Many utilities offer home energy assessments at no cost to the customer. During these assessments, an expert will go over any energy efficiency opportunities in your home and may even provide you with free products to get you going in the right direction. Inquire with your electric company about such services. Here’s info about ComEd’s program, which offers extra benefits for lower-income customers, and Ameren’s program, which is only for income-qualified customers. Dust off the grill: Grills keep heat out of the kitchen, meaning air conditioners don’t have to work harder to cool it off. There are a lot of tips on healthy and environmentally sound ways to grill, here are some from The […]

The post Spring into savings with CUB’s energy efficiency tips appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>
CUB consumer alert: Tips to battle bitter cold at home https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2024/01/12/cub-consumer-alert-tips-to-battle-bitter-cold-at-home/ Fri, 12 Jan 2024 19:12:12 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=39065 The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Friday released tips for Illinoisans to keep their homes safe and warm, with temperatures expected to plunge following a winter storm. “With dangerously low temperatures approaching, everyone’s top priority over the next few days should be to stay safe,” CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said in a news release. “Please make sure you’re staying safe and warm, and your loved ones are too.” CUB has tips and helpful information at CUBHelpCenter.com. Here are some quick tips:  Don’t take risks. Don’t use your oven or stove to heat your home. If you use a space heater, place it on a hard, level surface; don’t use an extension cord; keep it at least three feet away from flammable objects, such as the couch, blankets or curtains; and don’t leave it on overnight. During this cold, keep your home at a safe temperature (about 68-70 degrees or more). Remember, setting the thermostat too low is dangerous to your health and can freeze pipes. Make sure carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors are in working order. Don’t overwork your heating system. Close blinds/curtains or cover your windows with blankets as an extra layer of protection against icy night winds. But let the sunlight in during the day to help heat your home. Clear radiators, registers, air returns and baseboards of obstructions. Dust, carpet and furniture can block the heat and leave a room chilly. You can’t heat your home if the air isn’t circulating. Reduce the drafts. This bitter cold is an opportunity to pinpoint the drafts in your home. Your hardware store can provide the materials to seal those leaks. If you don’t have a door guard or sweep to block cold air under your front and back doors and you can’t get to the hardware store, use a rolled up towel, a rug or newspaper to block the drafts. Clean or replace filters for a forced-air heating system. A dirty or non-functioning filter does nothing but drain money from your wallet. Check it every month—and now is a great time to clean or replace it if it’s dirty. Beware of bad deals. If your gas or electric bill is skyrocketing, check to see if you’re paying for a bad deal with an alternative supplier. Read your utility bill to see if another company is listed on the supply section. Inquire about assistance this month. Homes that can’t afford their heating bills should contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to see if they qualify for assistance: 1-877-411-9276. Be a good member of the community. Confirm that neighbors, friends and family are OK.  KeepWarm.Illinois.gov has information on where Illinoisans can find warming centers.

The post CUB consumer alert: Tips to battle bitter cold at home appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>
Saving energy and money at home– the renter’s edition https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2023/05/22/saving-energy-and-money-at-home-the-renters-edition/ Mon, 22 May 2023 16:11:32 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=37334 By: Kate Shonk Sustainable Communities Liason The summer cooling season is upon us, and at CUB we’re here to help all Illinoisans save energy and money. For consumers who rent their homes, it can be hard to have control over their building’s efficiency measures–but you still have options. Even if you don’t pay an electric bill, it’s a good idea not to waste energy, for the sake of the power grid and the planet. To start, a simple way to weatherize a rental could involve air-sealing any drafts around windows or doors. This includes using weatherstripping, caulk, or plastic over windows. Once the home is better sealed, it’s easier to keep the air inside and use less energy to cool a residence. The next step is changing your usage habits. In a hot summer, there are ways to reduce a spike in usage from air conditioning: Use fans and open windows before reverting to air conditioning. Make sure any ceiling fans are flipped to summer mode (run counterclockwise), to create a downdraft. Watch CUB’s video. If you do need to use your AC, be conscious about the temperature setting. Always defer to your own health and comfort, but aim to keep your AC set at about 74 degrees. Turn off your AC or any fans before leaving your apartment. Make sure the AC unit is properly sized for the room. Visit this EnergyStar webpage to learn how to size your AC. Regularly clean the filter on your AC unit.  Additionally, while air conditioning will account for a large majority of your summer electric bill, you can still save energy by unplugging unused devices and appliances. Vampire power – or power wasted from appliances and devices left plugged in – can account for around 23 percent of a home’s power consumption. Similarly, lighting accounts for around 15 percent of consumption. Be sure to turn off any lights not in use, and switch out any old light bulbs for LED bulbs.  In addition to DIY weatherization and efficiency, utility companies do offer programs geared toward renters. An important program to check out is the Multi-Family Home Energy Assessment offered by ComEd, Nicor, Peoples Gas, Northshore Gas, and Ameren.  Through this free offering, an energy advisor can do a comprehensive walkthrough of your unit to see where you can be more energy efficient. Along with the walkthrough, the program includes free energy-efficient products, such as LED light bulbs, programmable thermostats, efficient showerheads, advanced power strips, and more. Important note for renters: You must receive consent from your landlord or property manager before participating. At the bottom of this article, we’ve included a sample email or call script to receive permission from your landlord to participate. For a more comprehensive overview of energy efficiency and demand response programs, community solar, and all things utility-related for renters, order a free copy of CUB’s Renter’s Utility Guide! Sample Letter:  Subject line: Request for Home Energy Assessment Approval Greetings, I hope this message finds you well! I’m a resident of (address), and I’m writing to receive your approval to participate in the Home Energy Savings program offered […]

The post Saving energy and money at home– the renter’s edition appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>
CUB’s 5 ways to mark Earth Week (and any week!) https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2023/04/17/cubs-5-ways-to-mark-earth-week-and-any-week/ Mon, 17 Apr 2023 19:53:00 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=37148 In this week leading up to Earth Day, on Saturday April 22, we’ve rounded up a list of five ways you can mark the moment, with the help of CUB resources. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in our Planet,” which fits nicely with CUB’s message that clean energy lowers utility bills. See our checklist of actions to consider this week, and any week:  Do some spring cleaning and practice energy efficiency  As we look forward to summer, we start with the basics–because the cleanest, cheapest energy is the energy we don’t use. CUB recommends simple actions, like turning off the lights and fans when you leave the room. But springtime is a great opportunity to get your home energy efficient for the summer. Also…. Check out these handy summer energy-saving tips;  Read  our Year Round Energy Savings fact sheet;  Visit our Clean Energy page to get details on free or low-cost energy efficiency programs your utility may offer;  Read CUB’s Guide to Going Green. Consider Solar   There’s never been a better time in Illinois history to go solar. But not everyone can install panels on their property (people who have a lot of shade, or apartment dwellers). But in Illinois, you can still get the benefits of solar power without having to install solar panels on your roof. Community Solar allows you to subscribe to a portion of the output of a solar installation (a.k.a. community solar garden) somewhere in your utility’s territory to offset part of your electricity usage. Check out our Solar in the Community website for more information–currently, all of the companies offering community solar subscriptions offer savings for consumers. The program is open to all customers, no matter your income. In fact, the Illinois Solar for All program is designed for income-qualified customers and guarantees savings up to 20 percent – our ILSFA landing page has details.  Learn more about geothermal heat pumps (and other heat pumps)   What better way to celebrate Earth Week than to learn how the Earth can help you cut your utility bills? Much like a refrigerator, heat pump systems utilize electricity to move heat from cool spaces to warm spaces and vice versa. Depending on the season, geothermal heat pumps use electricity to move heat from the ground to your home and or from your home to the ground, and CUB Carbon Free Buildings Coordinator David Weaver reports that geothermal can reduce energy costs by up to 70 percent compared with traditional heating and cooling systems. That’s why CUB has launched its first-ever geothermal group-buy program. Grow Geo, in partnership with Midwest Renewable Energy Association and the Geothermal Alliance of Illinois, is designed to help Chicago-area consumers install a geothermal heat pump system at a discount and cut their utility bills going forward. Maybe you’re not ready to make the leap yet, but knowledge is power: Attend a presentation on the program (they’re called Power Hours) to educate yourself about geothermal heat pumps. If geothermal isn’t right for you, learn more about another efficient alternative, air source heat pumps.  Plant native trees for Enviroscaping Get your hands dirty–and plant […]

The post CUB’s 5 ways to mark Earth Week (and any week!) appeared first on Citizens Utility Board.

]]>