Ameren Peak Time Rewards

• PDF version of this fact sheet

Ameren Illinois’ Peak Time Rewards (PTR) gives participants a credit on their bill for reducing electricity use during certain “peak” times, usually hot summer afternoons when electricity demand is highest.

CUB supports the program because it carries no extra cost to participants, and customers can save money on their bill while reducing stress on the power grid.

Ameren will notify you of a “Peak Time Rewards event”—typically during a hot summer afternoon when electricity use is expected to increase significantly.

If you can reduce your electricity during the event hours, the utility will reward you with a bill credit for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you saved below a personal baseline. The baseline, which is different for each customer, is determined by your usage on similar days prior to the event.

There’s no penalty if you don’t reduce your power usage. You simply won’t get a credit for that event.

On your next bill after an event, the credit will appear in the “Bill Message” section. You can also view your estimated rewards online approximately 24 hours after an event by logging on to your Ameren Illinois account and selecting the “Usage” tab.

You can earn multiple credits for multiple events.

The program is open to Ameren Illinois residential electric customers who have an advanced electric meter, also known as a smart meter. Advanced meters have a digital face and a yellow sticker.

If you have an alternative electric supplier, you are still eligible for Peak Time Rewards. Likewise, if you are enrolled in the Power Smart Pricing program, you are still eligible for PTR.

If you have net metering, you are not eligible for PTR. Commercial customers are also not eligible.

Ameren customers can call 1-888-596-5497 or visit PeakTimeRewards.com to enroll in the Peak Time Rewards Program. You must provide at least one working phone number or email address so you can receive event notifications.

You’ll receive advance notice of Peak Time Rewards events by your preferred method of email, text message or phone call. Note: If you select text messages, you will receive an initial message asking you to reply “yes” to receive future messages.

Peak Time Rewards events occur between June and September. Enrollment is open from October 1 to March 1. If it is after March 1, you can still enroll to be put on a waitlist for the next program year.

There is no cost to enroll and no penalty if you opt out.

The rate used to calculate the bill credit earned is determined each spring, based on market rates for electricity. Ameren Illinois estimates that the credit could fall between 50 cents and $2 per kWh saved.

The utility will determine the total amount of a customer’s credit using a formula based on his or her typical usage history versus what the customer actually used during a designated “peak time” period.

How much you save depends on the credit per kWh, your typical electric usage, and how much electricity you used during the event.

• Temporarily change your air conditioner to a warmer temperature.
• If the summer heat gets to you, hang out in an airconditioned public space, such as a movie theater, museum, shopping mall or library.
• Use energy-guzzling appliances like the dishwasher, washer and dryer before or after the event.
• Make use of energy-saving tools, such as a programmable thermostat and light timers.
• Unplug electric devices when not in use. Electric devices use electricity when they are plugged in, even if they’re turned off.