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energy efficiency

Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit

Have some spare time at home and wondering how to bring down your utility bills? Conduct your own home energy audit, and use this guide as a handy checklist.  Switch to LEDs If you haven’t heard this before from CUB, we’ll say it again: Ditch your incandescents! Incandescent light bulbs…...

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CUB webinars to share tips on robocalls, cable, electric, solar in IL

In honor of Financial Literacy Month and Earth Month, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is holding a series of free webinars in April to share money-saving tips about robocalls, pay TV service, electric bills and new solar energy programs in Illinois.   The webinars are part of the watchdog’s continuing efforts…...

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CUB alerts Illinois utility customers to free services during crisis

The Citizens Utility Board has announced free services for Illinois utility customers during the public health crisis and shared tips on how consumers can protect their bottom line in these uncertain times. “In the middle of this unprecedented public health and economic crisis, the last thing anyone needs to worry…...

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IL power bills lowest in the Midwest (again)–but that advantage is threatened

For the seventh consecutive year, Illinois had the lowest average electricity bills in the Midwest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). But nobody thinks power bills are low—there’s more work to do. That’s why CUB and other consumer/environmental advocates are pushing Illinois to pass the Clean Energy Jobs…...

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Five things to remember about your bills

In our first-ever “virtual utility bill clinic,” CUB members from 64 different cities across Illinois submitted their utility bills to get CUB’s unique utility-bill checkup service from the comfort of their own homes. CUB holds 400-500 events a year, but the virtual clinic was an attempt to reach people who…...

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Top to bottom: Is your home ready for winter?

It may not feel like winter yet, but the battle for your heating bills begins right now. Here’s a top-to-bottom checklist to get your home ready. Outside the house Repair damaged shingles. Inspect your gutters. If they’re filled with leaves, that can lead to winter damage to your home’s siding…...

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The power of solar! CUB alerts consumers to affordable solar program, as Sept. 30 deadline nears

The sun may have been setting over Evanston one recent evening, but the crowd gathered at the local civic center wanted to learn all about how solar power could reduce their electric bills and their carbon footprint with the help of a program called Solarize Chicagoland. “There’s a lot of…...

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What’s going with clean jobs training in Illinois?

by Cate York, CUB sustainable communities liaison The Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) of 2016 was huge. It ramped up energy efficiency programs for ComEd and Ameren customers, exploded the solar economy, and created low-income programs to extend the benefits of clean energy to all Illinoisans. But what about the…...

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We have a winner: CUB’s Earth Day giveaway

Congratulations to the winner of CUB’s Earth Day giveaway: Bernadet of Naperville! She will be receiving a Nest smart thermostat, allowing her to control her home’s temperature from anywhere with her smartphone or tablet, and save on her electric bill. Smart thermostats are a great way to make your home…...

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Last chance: Win a free smart thermostat!

Some important notes on the last day of the month: 1) Don’t forget! CUB is giving away a free smart thermostat, but you need to enter before midnight tonight to be eligible. Click here for a chance to win a free Nest or Ecobee thermostat! 2) If you’re a ComEd…...

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