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Electric bills

How much does your phantom load affect your electric bill?

Phantom load–sometimes called “vampire power”–refers to home appliances still using energy even after you turn them off. So what impact does that have on your electric bill? About 10 percent of your energy costs come from wasted power. The National Resources Defense Council found phantom loads account for $19 billion…...

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These energy myths are costing you money

Are you paying more than you should for your utilities? In honor of National Energy Awareness month, take CUB’s energy myths quiz, and you could win $100 toward your bills! CUB fights every day to keep the big electric and gas companies from ripping you off but all consumers can…...

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Breaking: New electricity prices

Did you know your utility’s electricity rate is changing on October 1? Read “5 Facts about ComEd’s New Rate” and we’ll send you CUB’s fact sheet on avoiding rip-offs from alternative electric suppliers. Ameren customers, read “5 Facts about Ameren’s New Rate” and we’ll also send you CUB’s fact sheet on avoiding rip-offs from alternative…...

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“Vampire power” could be to blame for your high electric bill

Turning your electronics off when you’re not using them seems like a simple way to cut down on your power bill. But that won’t stop “standby power,” a.k.a. vampire power. Think about your toaster, coffee maker, televisions, desktop computers and DVRs. You may leave these devices off for periods of time, but…...

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Generous CUB supporters are matching your donations

This week, some generous CUB supporters are matching your donations. So giving $10 is more like giving $20! Two major cases could raise our electric bills: The White House is considering an unprecedented 2-year bailout of failing coal plants—a drastic move that could cost consumers billions of dollars. Giant power…...

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Warning to ComEd customers: Your next rate hike

We want to warn you about an impending electric rate hike that could cost you and your neighbors hundreds of millions of dollars. And it’s for no good reason. We call it a hidden hike—because it’s likely you haven’t heard what’s going on at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).…...

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Breaking: New ComEd, Ameren power prices

Do you know what you’re paying for electricity this month? Read CUB’s special energy pricing guides for Ameren and ComEd customers. (It includes the gas prices for October.) Also, give us your best energy efficiency tip and we’ll share it in this blog.    ...

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Speak up: Fight Ameren’s attack on energy efficiency

This week, CUB sent out a special e-newsletter to alert you to a new threat to energy efficiency that has the potential to raise Illinois power bills. What happened? Just months ago Illinois passed the Future Energy Jobs Act that requires the state’s biggest utilities to reduce electricity waste more…...

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New milestone: $2.5 billion in consumer savings

CUB joined ComEd and Elevate Energy at the Shedd Aquarium today to celebrate an important milestone: $2.5 billion in consumer savings because of energy efficiency. But this milestone is just one step on the path to even bigger savings to come for Illinois customers. The Future Energy Jobs Act—historic energy…...

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It’s Peak Time season!

As we enter the dog days of summer, Illinoisans who have signed up for ComEd’s Peak Time Savings or Ameren’s Peak Time Rewards programs will have the chance to earn credits on their power bills. These no-cost programs for people with new digital electric meters give participants a credit for reducing electricity…...

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