(800) 669-5556

Blog

You’re a community solar customer in Ameren territory? Here’s what’s happening to your bills

By: Marina Minic Solar Programs Coordinator Community solar customers in Ameren territory have seen “bill adjustments.” CUB can explain:   If you’re subscribed to community solar, you get a credit on your Ameren bill that corresponds to the amount of solar energy your subscription produced. That credit shows up as a…...

Read more

Announcing Grow Geo Chicagoland: Get the details on CUB’s new geothermal heat pump group-buy

By: David Weaver Carbon-Free Buildings Coordinator  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient system to heat and cool buildings and water. But how do they work? Will they work for my home? How much money will it save me? Should I make the…...

Read more

CUB partners with GAOI, MREA to launch its first-ever geothermal group-buy program

For the first time in its history, a top Illinois consumer watchdog is helping to launch an innovative program to help Chicago-area consumers install a geothermal heat pump system at a discount and cut their utility bills. The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is partnering with the Geothermal Alliance of Illinois…...

Read more

Teacher says CUB website invaluable in battling alternative supplier ‘scamsters’

Carolyn helps teach English as a second language–but her lessons have gone far beyond grammar. One day a student mentioned to the Champaign-area teacher that her utility bills had gone through the roof. What Carolyn uncovered was a problem all too common for Illinois consumers. A salesman from an alternative…...

Read more

‘I am not the gas utility’s ATM!’ CUB, consumer advocates rally outside Peoples Gas HQ to protest record rate hike

As Chicago struggles with a heating-affordability crisis and Peoples Gas rakes in five years of record profits, residents rallied outside the utility’s headquarters to slam the company’s record $402 million rate hike and urge state regulators and policymakers to hold the utility accountable. Waving signs like “I am not the…...

Read more

April gas prices continue their decline–for most utilities

Gas supply rates are continuing to drop for most major utilities in Illinois, and they are far below the price spikes of 2022, according to a CUB review of April pricing information the companies filed with the state. Heating gas prices have decreased by up to 38 percent between March…...

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

CUB’s money-saving events in April

Happy April everyone, we’ve officially reached spring! The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Below you will find several events that can help you improve energy efficiency at home and protect your bottom line this month. We hope to see you there. 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.,…...

Read more

Getting ready for Spring? Tips on keeping your utility bills low

As you do some spring cleaning, remember that a few easy swaps can help you maximize your energy efficiency. These tips are easy and effective at preventing higher-than-average utility bills, while also being good for the planet.  Here are some of CUB’s top tips for keeping your power bill to…...

Read more

Q&A: ComEd prices are up, but landmark clean energy law has delivered monthly credits on power bills

What happened?  ComEd’s electricity price has been elevated since June 1, 2022, but the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), historic clean energy legislation that Illinois adopted in 2021, has delivered more than $1 billion in credits on electricity bills. CUB is pleased Gov. J.B. Pritzker and a bipartisan group…...

Read more