(800) 669-5556

Cold weather tips

Worst cold snap in two years—tips on staying safe, warm and energy-efficient in Illinois winters

In recent weeks, Illinois has been hit with snow and dangerously cold temperatures—the worse conditions since the polar vortex of January 2019.  Here are some tips to stay warm, safe and energy efficient.  Staying safe in low temperatures Check on neighbors and loved ones. If you or someone you know…...

Read more

Five steps to prepare for bad winter weather

Living in a state like Illinois, we are all-too-aware of rapidly changing weather, but are you prepared for bad weather? These five tips can help you plan out your strategy for weathering the storm. 1. Weatherize your home or apartment. Equipping your home with the latest weatherization improvements can help…...

Read more

CUB Tips: Heat your home safely, efficiently amid a polar vortex

The frigid weather descending on Illinois is such a concern that Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a disaster declaration to free up resources if needed during what he called “potentially historic” cold. You too should be prepared as the polar vortex blasts the Chicago area: Make sure you are heating…...

Read more

Preparing for winter: How to properly drain outdoor faucets

One of the biggest problems you can encounter in the winter is your pipes freezing. Water freezing in your pipes during the cold months can lead to them bursting, and that could be a financial and home-repair nightmare. There’s a simple task you can do now to prevent this: drain…...

Read more

Getting your home ready for fall and winter

You might want to ignore the fact that winter is fast approaching, but now is the perfect time to to start preparing your home for the cold months ahead. Here’s a checklist of “to-dos” so your home is ready for the chilliest time of year. Furnace inspection. Have a certified…...

Read more

A heated debate: What’s the ideal temperature for programming your thermostat?

When it comes to setting the thermostat, everyone has an opinion–and that can lead to some heated debates among couples (pun intended). According to the Department of Energy, setting your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours a day can save you up to 10…...

Read more

DIY: Window weatherization

Do your windows have drafts? Here’s one way to tackle the problem. You can buy a window insulation kit for $15 to $25 online or at your local hardware store. It should come with double-sided tape and plastic film for covering the inside of your windows. 1) Clean the window…...

Read more

8 ways to stay comfortably warm this winter

By Samantha Vercellino Polar vortex or not, winter is always cold—but staying warm and cozy shouldn’t break the bank. Follow CUB’s simple tips to live comfortably, and save, during the bitter cold. Heat efficiently. Your heating system, like any other machinery in your home, will eventually break down. That’s why…...

Read more

How low is too low?

By Samantha Vercellino It’s the perfect time to throw on your comfiest sweater, take some simple steps to weatherize your home and turn down your home’s heat. The lower the temperature, the more you save. But, before you crank down your thermostat, here’s what you need to know. With each…...

Read more

5 tips on keeping Jack Frost from your phone

By Samantha Vercellino Smartphones can do a lot of things but functioning in extreme cold is not one of them. Even if the Midwest escapes another polar vortex, the winter will still be frigid. CUB has some tips to protect your device. Check battery life. When cold temperatures hit, your…...

Read more