AmerenUE is reminding customers that weatherization and other energy efficiency measures will again be important this winter.
All UE customers can find weatherization information, detailed bill analysis, appliance calculators and much more by logging on to the company’s Energy Savings Toolkit at www.ameren.com. The Toolkit gives customers the information they need to take control of energy costs by offering practical, often low-cost or no-cost solutions to controlling energy usage and costs.
UE’s Web site also includes information for UE’s 127,000 natural gas customers in the “Natural Gas Center” at www.ameren.com. The Natural Gas Center contains many features to help customers understand and manage their winter energy costs, including:
• UE’s popular “Cut Your Home Utilities Bill” poster, which provides room-by-room tips for reducing energy costs;
• Information about UE’s Natural Gas Equipment Rebate Program, which provides rebates toward the purchase and installation of ENERGY STAR®-listed programmable thermostats and natural gas furnaces, boilers and other natural gas-fueled equipment (rebates are available for both residential and commercial UE natural gas customers);
• Links to other energy saving tips; and
• The latest information on the many factors that affect the wholesale cost that UE pays for natural gas for distribution to its customers.
The value of natural gas is determined in a free market, where supply and demand set current and future gas prices. UE passes these natural gas prices on to customers, dollar-for-dollar, through the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) without any “markup.”
For customers who want to ease the impact of typically higher winter bills, UE offers the Budget Billing plan that “averages out” a customer’s monthly bills to minimize the effect of higher prices or higher seasonal usage. For information, customers can call UE at 800-552-7583, or visit www.ameren.com.
AmerenUE also works with customers who need to establish a payment plan and provides referrals for energy assistance. Customers who may be experiencing a problem with a bill payment are urged to immediately contact UE. In addition, the company’s Dollar More program enables customers and employees to help the needy stay warm. Visit the www.ameren.com for full information.
AmerenUE residential energy experts say lifestyle, family size, the number of appliances, quality of home construction and degree of weatherization are the key factors that affect winter energy bills. The most effective action a resident can take to reduce energy use is to weatherize a home for comfort and efficiency.
The energy experts offer these suggestions for home weatherization:
• Have your furnace checked for safety and efficiency before the start of the heating season. Changing furnace filters regularly also helps. Filters should be changed more frequently if there are pets in the home. Using a humidifier can help residents feel comfortable at lower thermostat settings. Residents should consider replacing old, inefficient furnaces, water heaters and other natural gas appliances with newer high-efficiency models. Again, UE customers can benefit from the Natural Gas Equipment Rebate Program.
• Installing storm windows and caulking are the best ways to reduce the infiltration of cold air. Caulking is economical and easy to use. Generally, one tube of caulking is enough to weatherize at least one average size window. The most durable caulking contains silicone.
• For doors, try weather stripping to keep cold air from entering the home. Weather stripping materials include metal, vinyl, rubber and foam. Metal with vinyl backing is recommended because of its durability and flexibility.
• Set the thermostat a little lower. For each degree it is lowered, you can save 2 to 3 percent on heating costs. For maximum efficiency, experts generally recommend a setting of 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees overnight (but don’t set the thermostat too low, or pipes in exterior walls could freeze). Programmable thermostats can help reduce heating costs by allowing better control of the settings.
• On sunny days, open blinds, shades or draperies on the sunny side of your house to let in solar heat. Be sure to close them again at night, to help keep heat from escaping.
• Adding insulation to attics and walls can be a significant energy-saver if your home was built many years ago when efficiency standards were lower. Either blown or blanket insulation holds heat so a furnace doesn’t have to operate as long. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends an R-49 insulation level for attics.
• An insulating blanket on water heaters reduces energy waste from the unit. Wraparound hot water pipe insulation retards heat loss as water travels through cooler or unheated areas of the house. Water heater life will be extended and efficiency improved by periodically draining the tank to eliminate the buildup of sediment.
• Close off areas of your home that are infrequently used. Close registers in those areas.
• Be sure the damper is closed when you’re not using the fireplace. Glass doors for fireplaces save energy and heat by keeping cold air from coming down the flue and preventing warm air from being sucked out of the house. Without glass doors, as much as 26 percent of the heated air can be drawn up the flue.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 makes federal tax credits available for numerous home improvements designed to increase energy efficiency. Federal tax credits may be earned by installing qualified insulation materials, replacement windows and exterior doors. Additional information is available at the Energy Star® Web site (www.energystar.gov/).
AmerenUE, founded in 1902, provides electric and gas service to approximately 1.2 million customers across central and eastern Missouri, including the greater St. Louis area. UE serves 57 Missouri counties and 500 towns. The company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. For more information, visit www.ameren.com.
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Contact: Tim Fox 314-554-4335
Mike Cleary 573-681-7137