As a result of legislation fought for by CUB, new money-saving energy efficiency programs are available to Ameren customers.
These programs are the result of SB 1592, the electric rate relief and reform law. You may remember that this measure provided $1 billion in refunds to Illinois electric customers. It also requires Illinois utilities to reduce overall electric usage by 2 percent of demand by 2015, and supply 25 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2025 (for certain eligible retail customers).
You can purchase discounted energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) several ways:
• At select Home Depot, Menard's, Ace Hardware, CVS, Sam's Club (members only), Walmart, Best Buy, Rural King, Family Dollar, County Market, Cub Foods, Lowes, Meijer, Niemann Foods, and Schnucks stores.
To see a complete list of retailers visit the
Act On Energy website.
• To request an order form or to speak with a customer service representative, call 866-845-7085 on Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or on Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Please note
There is a 12 bulb limit per purchase, and the discount is available while supplies last.
That old refrigerator in your basement or garage could cost you up to $100 a year to run. But don't just throw it away; Ameren will pay residential customers $50 to pick up and safely recycle old refrigerators and freezers. They will also pick up and recycle any working room air conditioners at no cost when they pick up your old refrigerator or freezer.
To be eligible, your refrigerator or freezer must be:
• Used as a secondary, not primary, unit
• In working (cooling) condition
• 10–27 cubic feet in size
• Picked up from a residence, not a business
There is a limit of two refrigerators/freezers per customer, per program year. To schedule a pickup, call
866-899-9088 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday or between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Rebate checks will be mailed within six weeks of recycling your appliance.
Please note: the program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds are exhausted.
You may also be able to save money by signing up for Ameren's "Power Smart Pricing" program. Although not technically a part of the company's "Act on Energy" program, "Power Smart Pricing" also encourages efficiency and can save you a considerable amount of money. Over the past few years, participants were able to reduce their bills by an average of 17 percent.
How does the program work?
Power Smart Pricing changes the way you pay for electricity. Under Ameren's standard residential rate, the price you pay per kilowatt-hour only varies between summer and non-summer months. Participants in the Power Smart Pricing program pay wholesale market prices, which fluctuate hourly, instead of the traditional averaged "flat" rate. To save, you must be able to shift high- electricity activities, such as doing laundry or using the dishwasher, from higher-priced, peak-demand hours to lower-priced, off-peak hours.
What are the program benefits?
• Participants have more control over electricity use, and consequently, more opportunity to save.
• The program eases stress on the electric grid, especially during high demand periods, leading to more reliable service, lower carbon emissions, and less negative impact on the environment.
Who may not benefit from the program?
People who:
• Heat their homes with electricity
• Have high winter electricity usage
• Use very little electricity (electric bills tend to be less than $40 per month)
• Cannot adjust their electricity usage during hours when prices are higher
To get more information about the program or to enroll, visit
www.powersmartpricing.org. CNT Energy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people and communities manage their energy costs, administers the Power Smart Pricing Program for Ameren. For more information about CNT Energy, visit
www.cntenergy.org.
Replacing your inefficient heating or cooling equipment could save you up to $200 a year in energy bills, and you will continue to save over the lifetime of that equipment.
Ameren is offering discounts on heating and air conditioning upgrades that are installed by utility-approved contractors who have undergone efficiency training. Their website includes a list of qualified contractors and equipment. Visit
www.actonenergy.com for details.
Incentive Amounts
Natural Gas Warm-air Furnaces
AFUE Rating 92 percent or greater
$125
AFUE Rating 95 percent or greater
$200
Cooling Units
Replacement of an existing central air conditioning or heat pump unit with a name plate SEER rating of 10 or less with a cooling unit (14 SEER, central air conditioner or heat pump)
$600
Replacement of an existing air conditioning or heat pump unit with a name plate SEER rating of greater than 10 with a cooling unit (14 SEER, central air conditioner or heat pump)
$110
Ground source heat pump/geothermal unit
$600
Ameren will offer customers rebates on select ENERGY STAR
® products, including:
• A $35 Rebate on Room Air Conditioner Units
An ENERGY STAR® qualified room air conditioner (A/C) unit will use at least 10 percent less energy than conventional models.
• A $20 Rebate on Air Purifiers (Air Cleaners)
ENERGY STAR® qualified ceiling fans are always equipped with a reverse mode that allows the fan to spin in two directions, helping regulate temperature in both the summer and winter.
• A $300 Rebate on Heat Pump Water Heaters
ENERGY STAR® qualified heat pump water heaters are more than twice as efficient as standard electric models, enabling you to cut your water heating costs in half!
• A $25 Rebate on Programmable Thermostats
ENERGY STAR® qualified programmable thermostats are more accurate than non-digital thermostats and can help you maintain consistent comfort levels and even save the average home $100 per year on electricity costs.
• A $10 Rebate on Smart Strips
ENERGY STAR® qualified smart strips enormously cut down your power expenses on certain electronic devices by sensing the current in one outlet, then switching off those not being used.
• A $50 Rebate on Water Heaters (high efficiency)
A $75 Rebate on Water Heaters (super high efficiency)
Heating water accounts for approximately 15 percent of a typical home's energy use. ENERGY STAR® qualified water heaters use 10-15 percent less energy than standard models.
To Receive a Rebate:
You will need to supply the following documents with your completed rebate form:
• A copy of your dated sales receipt and/or invoice showing the manufacturer, model number, and price of the ENERGY STAR® qualified product
• A copy of your most recent Ameren Illinois Utilities bill
For more information about eligible appliances, visit
www.actonenergy.com.
ENERGY STAR
® provides a set of guidelines that can help increase the efficiency of your new home by 10 to 30 percent.
ENERGY STAR
® qualified homes provide:
• Better performance
• Higher resale value
• Less environmental impact
• Potential tax credit for first-time home buyers
The ENERGY STAR
® New Homes Program assists homeowners and builders in the construction of new homes with:
• Construction and equipment recommendations prior to building
• Monetary incentives for builders
• An energy-efficiency inspection after construction to ensure ENERGY STAR®standards are met
To participate, you must find a Home Builder or HERS Rater who is participating in the ENERGY STAR
® New Homes Program. If you have questions about the program, call
866-838-6918 or visit
www.actonenergy.com.
Considering energy-saving upgrades to your home? Take the first step toward a more comfortable, cost-efficient home by making smart improvements that help save on energy costs. The Home Energy Performance (HEP) program offers incentives to registered Program Allies, which they pass on in cost savings to homeowners.
The following measures are eligible for incentives
Air and Duct Sealing
up to $1,200
Prevent heating and cooling dollars from escaping through unseen cracks and gaps in your home.
Attic Insulation
up to $1,400
Inadequate insulation is a leading cause of energy waste in most homes.
Wall Insulation
up to $2,400
Insulation decreases the heating or cooling needed by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.
Programmable Thermostat
$25 each (gas customers only, limit 2 per customer).
The Programmable Thermostat may be installed by you and does not require installation by a Program Ally.
Click here for the Incentive Form or call
1-866-838-6918.
Download a list of HEP Measures Program Allies at
www.actonenergy.com or call the Act On Energy Residential Programs Office at
1-866-838-6918 to get started.