Save Money, Earn Rewards With Energy Saver Program, Citizens Utility Board Program Rewards ComEd Customers For Being Green
by Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS 2 Chicago
by Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS 2 Chicago
"Here is the projected bill of $97.96 based on my prior usage," said Oak Park homeowner K.C. Poulos.
K.C. Poulos was part of a pilot program, using the website: CUBEnergySaver.com.
The new site is a partnership between Citizens Utility Board, Recycle Bank and Efficiency 2.0. It not only allows ComEd customers to get rewards for being green, but saves them a lot of money, too.
Poulos' bill went from nearly $100 a month, to just over $53.
"That's real money saved," she said. "That's $44 that can be used for other household needs."
This is how the CUB Energy Saver program works. A ComEd customer signs up using their e-mail and password. The user provides their ComEd account number that remains private.
That allows your energy use to be tracked so you can rack up reward points. The points can be used at local and national businesses, like CVS, Leona's restaurant and Carson Pirie Scott.
The site also gives homeowners like Poulos advice on how to cut their electric bill costs. Poulos is doing simple things, like closing the drapes to keep the house cooler.
"This is something that everyone can do in their home," she said.
She has also installed energy-efficient light bulbs in virtually every room in her home, and sets her air conditioning at 75 degrees.
"It really doesn't change the comfort level in your home too much, especially if it's a 90-degree day," Poulos said.
For each kilowatt hour of energy saved, a site user gets two points. The points are redeemed for goods, or used as a coupon on purchases.
Poulos said she's doing something good for the environment and getting rewarded at the same time.
'It's a win-win, and I don't know how anyone could not do it, knowing that there's a website that makes it this easy," she said.
"Ultimately, we want to roll this out throughout the entire state, because at CUB we're committed to saving people as much money as possible," said CUB Executive Director David Kolata.
CUB says the average person is saving up to $200 each year. Reward points can average $130.
There are spots for 10,000 people to sign up right now. This is the first day the site has gone live. Those people will also get 100 points free. After those spots are taken, there's a waiting list.
Click here to sign up for the CUB Energy Saver program.