(800) 669-5556

energy efficiency

CUB update: What about those appliance rebates in the Inflation Reduction Act?

CUB gets a lot of questions from consumers wondering when they’ll be able to enjoy appliance rebates offered through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). We’ve got information about where Illinois is in the process of launching that rebate program–as well as some proposed changes to it.   The IRA, federal legislation…...

Read more

Tips for fighting high summer electric bills

Climate change is a threat to our health and safety, and also our bottom lines. A CUB study found that increasingly hot weather will cause ComEd customers to pay an additional $10.9 billion on their electric bills over the next 30 years. Energy efficiency can help soften the blow. Check…...

Read more

Huntley resident wins energy-awareness quiz giveaway

Congratulations to George of Huntley for winning CUB’s Energy Awareness Quiz giveaway! He was randomly selected out of hundreds of participants to win $100. Thanks to George and everyone who took the challenge. For more information about energy efficiency and tips, go to CUB’s Clean Energy page.  Here are the…...

Read more

Saving energy and money at home– the renter’s edition

By: Kate Shonk Sustainable Communities Liason The summer cooling season is upon us, and at CUB we’re here to help all Illinoisans save energy and money. For consumers who rent their homes, it can be hard to have control over their building’s efficiency measures–but you still have options. Even if…...

Read more

Tips on getting your home ready for hot weather

Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to start planning to get your home ready for warmer weather. Remember: Energy efficiency is just as important during the summer as it is during the winter. Not only does it help prevent power outages by easing stress on the grid,…...

Read more

A guide to energy efficiency programs for income-qualified households

By Kate Shonk Sustainable Communities Liason Facing high energy prices and the rising cost of living, many consumers want to cut down on their monthly utility bills. In Illinois, consumers have access to energy efficiency programs offered by utility companies–including ones for income-qualified households.  The programs designed for lower-income customers…...

Read more

Save energy and money with these winter efficiency tips

Check out our energy efficiency tips for getting through Illinois’ rough winters:   Get rid of the clutter. Make sure heating vents are open and not blocked by furniture or carpet. Clean dust from vents or along baseboard heaters. Utilize your blinds. During the day, be sure to pull your blinds…...

Read more

Preparing for an Expensive Summer: Your Energy Efficiency Shopping List

In 2021, homes across the country used about 235 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to cool their homes–that’s about 16 percent of total residential energy consumption. So as we prepare for an expensive summer, it pays to improve your home’s efficiency. CUB put together a  home-improvement shopping list for better energy…...

Read more

The UN’s Bold Climate Change Solution

A United Nations panel has released its third and final report on climate change, and following the dire warnings in the first two installments, this one strikes a hopeful tone with scientists’ plans for the world’s path forward. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the last…...

Read more

For Earth Month (and every month): Fight Climate Change at Home

You can reduce your carbon footprint with a few simple tips to help you save money, save the planet, and save your peace of mind. Utility-Based Programs  Check with your utility about any energy efficiency programs available to residents.  Free at-home energy assessments are offered by ComEd and Ameren. They…...

Read more