With temperatures expected to rise near the 100-degree mark this week, the Ameren Illinois utilities are concerned about our customers’ safety and the cost of keeping them cool. Our energy experts have a number of tips for cost-effectively keeping cool and safe this summer.
Typically, residential customers use more electricity during the summer months than the rest of the year. This additional electricity is used to operate air conditioners and fans.
There are steps customers can take to reduce the amount of electricity they use.
• Turn the air conditioner’s thermostat up. For each degree you increase the temperature, you can reduce electricity use by 2 to 3 percent.
• Regularly change or wash (depending on type) air conditioner filters. This is especially important if you have pets.
• Use low-cost ceiling fans or other types of circulating fans. Circulating air feels cooler. Many people find this allows them to set the air conditioner thermostat at 76 to 78 degrees.
• Keep shades, curtains and blinds closed during the day to reduce solar heating
• Replace incandescent bulbs with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Unlike incandescent bulbs, CFLs emit little heat and last seven or more years.
• Consider turning off the air conditioner and opening windows on mild days or cool nights.
For more tips, visit our Web site (www.ameren.com). Select “My Home” from the top menu and then select “Energy Savings Tips” from the left-hand menu.
The Ameren Illinois utilities recommend customers enroll in the Budget Billing plan. This service allows customers to pay a level amount throughout the year. Customers can enroll on the Ameren Web site (www.ameren.com) or by calling toll-free 888-672-5252 for AmerenCILCO, 888-789-2477 for AmerenCIPS and 800-755-5000 for AmerenIP.
The Ameren Illinois utilities are committed to providing customers with safe, reliable energy services at the lowest possible cost.
The Ameren Illinois utilities serve 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers in Illinois.
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Summer Safety and Cooling Tips
Keeping you and others safe
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated, even if you aren’t thirsty.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing to keep cool.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity and too much direct sunlight.
• Look in on neighbors, especially senior citizens. Some elderly people and those with certain medical conditions may not sense that indoor temperatures have reached dangerously high levels. Check in on these people during heat waves to make certain they are safe and comfortable.
• Go to cooling centers if the temperature in your home gets too high.
• Watch for signs of heat-related illness: difficulty breathing, dizziness or fainting, excessive sweating, headaches, confusion, nausea. If you suspect someone has a heat-related illness, have them lie down in a cool place, give them sips of cool water and call for help.
• Think cool, stay relaxed. Remaining calm in times of stress can help moderate your body temperature.
Saving Money Today
• To cool a house efficiently, the air conditioner needs to be cool itself. Keep it in the shade. If the air conditioner is already in the sun, build a wood shade screen for it – just don't block the air flow.
• With central air conditioning, cool the rooms that are used. Don't close more vents than necessary because closing too many vents reduces operating efficiency.
• Turn the air conditioner thermostat up when away from home for several days or longer.
• Don't switch the air conditioner to a colder setting when turning it on. Moving the thermostat up and down throughout the day wastes energy and money. Placing the thermostat at extremes won't cool a home faster, but will make the system work harder.
• Set the thermostat as high as possible. For each degree the temperature is increased, electricity usage will be reduced by 2 to 3 percent. Consider a setting of 76 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Never place a thermostat on an exterior wall, where it would be affected by the hot or cold outdoor temperatures. Appliances that give off heat – like lamps – should be kept away from the thermostat.
• Consider replacing a thermostat that is 10 years old or older with a newer model that is more accurate and efficient.
• Save energy by taking care of air conditioner coils. If they are dusty, dirty or clogged with old leaves, you can vacuum them with a household or shop vacuum cleaner. If the attachment on the vacuum cleaner won't fit between the coils, reverse the air flow and blow away dirt and debris.
• Regularly change or wash (depending on type) air conditioner filters. This is especially important if you have pets.
• Keep the heat out by drawing shades and curtains on hot days.
• If you have exhaust fans in your bathroom, laundry and kitchen, use them to help reduce the humidity burden on your air conditioner. These fans should not be used continuously, but only as required.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Unlike incandescent bulbs, CFLS emit little heat and last seven or more years.
• Consider turning off the air conditioner during mild days and cool nights.
• Use low-cost ceiling fans or other types of circulating fans. Circulating air feels cooler. Many people find this allows them to set the air conditioner thermostat at 76 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Saving Money Tomorrow
• There is no substitute for insulation. Add insulation if attic floor joists are visible.
• Use of weather-stripping and caulking prevents outside air infiltration.
• Make certain exterior doors have a tight fit.
• Consider replacing old windows. Storm or dual-glazed windows can reduce heat gain by as much as 50 percent.
• Look for the Energy Star label when buying appliances, lights, heating and cooling equipment, home electronic products, office equipment and more. Energy Star consumers save money. In 2004, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Energy Star program saved consumers about $9 billion in energy bills, or enough energy to power 20 million homes. For information, call 1-888-STAR-YES or visit: www.energystar.gov.
• Significant savings can be realized by installing a high-efficiency air conditioner. Consider purchasing a central unit with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 14 or higher for greater operating savings. A SEER 14 unit is 40 percent more efficient than a SEER 10 unit. For window air conditioners, consider a unit with an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 10.0 or higher. Replacing an EER 5.0 window air conditioner with an EER 10.0 unit can cut energy use by up to 50 percent.
• Uncle Sam has some good news for those who are interested in making your home more energy efficient. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 makes federal tax credits available for numerous home improvements that increase energy efficiency, including qualified insulation materials, replacement windows, exterior doors and central air conditioners. Additional information is available at the Energy Star Web site (www.energystar.gov). Remember, these tax credits are set to expire at the end of this year.
• The Ameren Illinois utilities recommend customers enroll in the Budget Billing plan. This free service allows customers to pay the same amount each month of the year. Customers can enroll on the Ameren Web site (www.ameren.com) or by calling toll-free 888-789-2477.
• Plant trees around the house. Trees substantially reduce energy use by shading roofs and walls from the summer sun and serving as a barrier against winter winds. For a free copy of “Planting Trees” for more details on proper tree selection, send an e-mail request to ppadgett@ameren.com.
CONTACT: Media, Shelley Epstein, +1-309-370-5945 (Peoria), or Erica Abbett, +1-314-206-0646, (Metro East), or Natalie Hemmer, +1-217-424-7541 (Decatur), or Neal Johnson, +1-309-677-5516 (Peoria), or Leigh Morris,+1-217-535-5228 (Springfield)