What's Your Secret?
How To Stay Cool For Less During The Dog Days
June 3, 2011—Temperatures in Illinois have already soared well past the 90-degree mark this year, but the dog days are still ahead. Never fear! CUB polled Illinois consumers for their energy-saving secrets, and we received dozens of great tips. Thank you!

“Do not use your oven!” suggested one consumer. CUB Energy Saver—CUB’s free online tool that helps you create a personalized energy-saving plan—estimates that using the microwave to reheat your food can save $20 a year. Not only does a microwave use less energy than an oven, it keeps your home cooler, cutting your air conditioning costs too.

Another consumer suggested running the air conditioner only long enough to cool the house, and then turning it off for a few hours and using a fan instead. “I have found this procedure to be highly cost effective,” he said.

On the hottest days, a fan might not be enough. One consumer had a simple, no-cost solution: “I put a cold, wet hand towel or wash cloth around my neck.” The forehead works too.

Shading your home from the hot sun makes life easier for your air conditioner—and your budget. “Plant deciduous trees!” offered one man.

Some consumers’ energy-saving secrets weren't much of a secret at all—but that doesn’t mean they’re not effective. Here are some of the most popular suggestions we received:

- Keep the shades drawn and the windows closed on hot days.
- Spend more time in the basement and/or lower, cooler levels of the home.
- Use fans more and air conditioners less.
- Set the central air conditioner to 75 degrees or higher during the afternoon hours.
- Open windows at night.


Want to learn more? Visit CUB Energy Saver to create an energy-saving plan tailored to YOUR home. Not only will it suggest specific actions to cut your costs—it’ll track actual savings on your ComEd bill and reward you with restaurant and shopping discounts when you cut your bill.