PEORIA, Ill. –Ameren Illinois confirms winter heating cost hike concerns for local customers, saying the utility still has a significant amount of natural gas to purchase before they’re fully stocked to cover customers for the winter months.
The company says it currently has 83% of needed natural gas stocks filled for the coming winter season.
Ameren officials say a wide range of factors have been pushing natural gas prices higher for months, including the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The Illinois utility says there is also “record low coal inventories” driving more natural gas power demand and that utility customers created much higher demand in this past summer, driving up the need for more gas-powered electricity.
HOME ENERGY SAVINGS TIPS (AMEREN ILLINOIS):
How To Reduce the Monthly Bill
The single best way to mitigate the impact of higher energy prices is to use less energy. Ameren Illinois urges customers to take advantage of energy efficiency programs and apply for direct financial assistance:
- Home Efficiency Income Qualified (HEIQ) Program – qualifying customers can receive a free Home Energy Assessment to identify areas where their residence is losing energy. Solutions such as air sealing, insulation, or HVAC upgrades can be implemented at little or no cost with available grant funding and special financing. AmerenIllinoisSavings.com/WaysToSave
- Smart Thermostat Incentive Program – Customers can save up to 10% – 12% a year on their heating costs plus there is a $100 rebate available to customers with the purchase of a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat tracks your usage by learning your household patterns and adjusts temperatures to achieve savings. AmerenIllinoisSavings.com/smart
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grants are available to income-qualified customers. For more information on financial guidelines, and to identify an assistance agency in your community, visit HelpIllinoisFamilies.com or call 1-877-411-9276.
- Warm Neighbors Cool Friends (WNCF), a year-round heating and cooling assistance program to help those who generally do not qualify for financial assistance from other government or non-profit programs. Eligible households can receive up to $350 for this heating season. The WNCF weatherization program also helps customers reduce energy usage by installing insulation, air sealing, caulking and replacing of heating units. WarmNeighborsCoolFriends.org
More Tips to Reduce Energy and Save Money
- Open drapes, blinds or curtains to let the sunshine in. Taking advantage of heat from the warm sunrays can help heat up their homes. And at night, close them to keep the heat inside.
- Dampers on the heating vents are open and not blocked by furniture or drapes, vacuum out any dust or pet hair from registers and air returns that may have collected throughout the spring and summer.
- Fall is the best time to have chimneys cleaned and vent systems checked, so when winter rolls around, you can enjoy the blazing fire. Remember when fireplaces are not in use, close your dampers to keep warm air in.
- Check doors and windows for air leaks. Sealing doors and windows with caulk or weather stripping can save you up to 10% on your energy bill.
- Upgrading to a smart thermostat can help manage usage, save on energy costs and help keep your home comfortable.
