(800) 669-5556

tips

CUB speaks out: Beware of bad deals from energy suppliers

Many consumers wonder if they should switch to an alternative supplier to cut down on their electric or gas bills. But beware, these enticing offers are many times not as good as they seem. In fact, Illinois consumers have lost $1.6 billion to alternative electric suppliers since 2015. CUB Executive…...

Read more

Video: Protect yourself from utility disconnections

Protect yourself from disconnection with the following tips–and watch and share our new video.   Be proactive. If you’re having difficulty paying your bills, call your utility. Here are the direct hotlines for major Illinois utilities: Ameren Illinois – 1-800-755-5000 Aqua Illinois – 1-877-987-2782 ComEd – 1-800-334-7661 Illinois American Water –…...

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

Summer tips on staying cool and safe, without breaking the bank

Summer weather is upon us. Heating and cooling costs account for 50 percent of a home’s energy bills, according to the Department of Energy.  Stay safe, cool and energy efficient. Be safe. Raising your thermostat by a few degrees and using a ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs over…...

Read more

CUB releases tips in wake of governor’s disaster declaration

Dangerously low temperatures and up to a foot of snow prompted  Gov. J.B. Pritzker to issue a disaster proclamation for all 102 counties and warn Illinois consumers about the possibility of “soaring utility bills.” . “The sub-zero temperatures are resulting in increased demand and decreased supply, causing natural gas prices…...

Read more

Beware High Bills! A Halloween Special

Although Halloween classics like Count Dracula, Freddie Krueger and Michael Meyers cause a fright, few things are scarier than paying high energy bills.  In honor of the spooky season, CUB staffer Cate York created a new video, “Beware High Bills: A Halloween Special.” It’s a fun, quick summary of the…...

Read more

Sources for CUB’s Home Savings Guide

Be sure to read other CUB resources on how to save money: CUB’s Guide to Cutting Cable TV Costs CUB’s Cellphone guide “Saving on Cellphone Service” CUB Guide to Fighting Robocalls CUB’s Gas & Electric Guide: A Handbook for residential gas and electric customers in Illinois CUBHelpCenter.com Below is a…...

Read more

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…...

Read more

10 ways to get your home ready for summer

After the recent blast of wintry weather, it’s hard to believe summer is on the way, but it will be here before you know it. Now’s the time to get ready. 1) Schedule HVAC maintenance. Before the hot weather hits, schedule an appointment with an expert to check your equipment’s performance. An HVAC…...

Read more

The 5 questions you should ask every time you open your electric or gas bill

CUB staffs more than 400 events a year, which means on average not a day goes by where CUB isn’t somewhere showing someone how to save money. Our utility-bill clinics are great events, but we want to empower consumers to do their own bill analysis. Read our how-to article, “5…...

Read more