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CUB Launches Campaign To Slash Evanston Energy Costs, CUB Energy Saver Can Cut Utility Bills By Average Of $200 A Year
EVANSTON, August 9, 2010—The City of Evanston and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Monday launched a campaign to slash electric bills through CUB Energy Saver, a free online service that can show households how to save an average of about $200 a year and actually reward them with free or discounted items from local and national businesses.
Standing with Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, CUB Executive Director David Kolata said Evanston residents who sign up for CUBEnergySaver.com will get mailed a free money-saving Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulb and qualify for periodic drawings to win a month of free electricity. Plus, the consumer group promised to give the city five CFLs for every Evanston resident who signs up for CUB Energy Saver, up to 10,000 bulbs. The Evanston household that saves the most electricity through CUB Energy Saver by the end of 2010 will win up to 50 CFLs plus a month of free power, Kolata said. CUB Energy Saver is the first free online service of its kind in the nation in that it allows Commonwealth Edison customers to visit a website, www.CUBEnergySaver.com, obtain recommendations for curbing energy consumption that are tailored to each household, and earn points that are redeemable with hundreds of local and national businesses. The first 10,000 ComEd customers who join CUB Energy Saver are eligible for this points program. “As Evanston families try to cut costs at the height of air conditioning season, CUB Energy Saver can help reduce their energy bills in ways never before possible,” Kolata said. “It’s a win-win for our pocketbooks and the planet.” “Evanston loves a good idea, and there’s no better idea than one that saves money and helps the environment,” Mayor Tisdahl said. “CUB Energy Saver proves that it pays, literally, to be energy efficient.” A pilot version of CUB Energy Saver has been showing participants how to cut their energy usage by an average of about 6 percent, for savings of roughly $200 a year. CUB Energy Saver only needs a consumer’s e-mail address, home address, and ComEd account information to build a household’s money-saving plan of action. CUB Energy Saver users who connect with their ComEd account will receive monthly e-mails updating them on how their actions are directly impacting their power bills, along with suggestions on how to improve. Those who connect to the rewards program will earn 100 points immediately and are eligible to earn more points for ongoing energy reductions. Points can be redeemed for rewards from major retailers and brands such as Nature Made®, Treasure Island, CVS/pharmacy, Huggies, and Bed Bath & Beyond. Local reward partners include The Olive Mountain, LuLu’s, and Happy Husky Bakery. As part of the campaign, CUB also will give free "Utility Bill Checkups" from 10 a.m. to noon, and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday Sept. 7 at the Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave. People can bring in their electric, natural gas, and telephone bills and a CUB expert will give money-saving tips. CUB's phone advice has been showing consumers how to cut their bills by hundreds of dollars a year. People who bring their electric bills can also get help signing up for CUB Energy Saver. Kolata said the state-of-the-art CUB Energy Saver website is the result of a partnership involving the nonprofit CUB and two New York City-based companies: Efficiency 2.0 and RecycleBank. About CUB CUB is Illinois’ leading nonprofit utility watchdog organization. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, CUB has saved consumers more than $10 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-669-5556 or visit www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org. About Efficiency 2.0 Efficiency 2.0 is a leading energy efficiency software and program administration company. It delivers efficiency and demand response benefits to utility and government partners by maximizing household engagement. Efficiency 2.0’s programs and software help consumers and businesses across the country better manage their energy costs. For more information, visit www.efficiency20.com. About RecycleBank RecycleBank® motivates people to recycle and rewards consumers for taking greener actions with points that can be redeemed from participating local and national business partners. Through collaboration and innovation, RecycleBank is helping to create a culture that encourages people to take simple steps towards greener lifestyles. For more information, visit www.RecycleBank.com. |