Some consumers come to our utility bill clinics looking for a trained set of eyes to scope out alternative supplier rip-offs or unnecessary charges. Other consumers, like Chuck, are hoping to get educated about energy efficiency.
“I already look at our bills and scrutinize them,” he said at CUB’s clinic in Streamwood last week. “But I thought maybe I could learn something more about energy efficiency. Maybe I can save some more money that way.”
Chuck met with CUB’s Sustainable Communities Liaison Foluke Akanni, who informed him about the free Home Energy Assessment.
The service is available to ComEd’s residential customers who have Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas, or Peoples Gas as their natural gas utility. During the assessment, an Energy Advisor will do a walk-through of your home and identify ways to maximize your home’s efficiency.
The utilities are required by law to provide energy efficiency programs for their customers.
A home energy assessment includes the following free energy-saving products, almost all of which will be installed during the assessment by an Energy Advisor:
- Energy Star certified LED bulbs
- Programmable thermostat (Smart thermostats are available for purchase at a discount)
- WaterSense certified showerheads
- WaterSense certified faucet aerators
- Hot water pipe insulation
- Advanced power strips for televisions and desktop computers
At the end of the assessment, the Energy Advisor should also provide you with a Home Energy Report, which details the products installed and the estimated yearly savings in electricity, gas, water and money. (This program can potentially cut your bills by hundreds of dollars a year.)
“I’m always looking for ways to be more energy efficient, and this home energy assessment should tell me what I’ve been missing,” Chuck said. “That’s money back in my pocket.”
Visit our website to find more information on the Home Energy Assessment, including eligibility. To schedule your free assessment, call 1-855-433-2700.