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energy efficiency

CUB Q&A: FERC ruling takes Illinois a step closer to paying higher bills to support dirty energy

A new ruling by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) brings Illinois one step closer to funding a fossil fuel bailout. And that increases the urgency to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), sweeping legislation that would protect consumers’ power bills while moving the state toward 100 percent renewable…...

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Most reliable way to save money on your bills? Energy efficiency

This Wednesday is Energy Efficiency Day, and as you probably know, CUB is a big believer in efficiency.  Energy efficiency isn’t about sacrifice or a drop in productivity. It’s the practice of using less energy to perform the same tasks you normally do, such as doing the laundry or charging…...

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Order CUB’s Guide to Home Savings (it’s free!)

The last thing you should be worrying about right now is high utility bills. That’s why CUB is bringing you a new guide to help cut your home costs and financial stress during this challenging time. Get a free, printer-friendly copy of CUB’s Guide to Home Savings emailed to you. Please…...

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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…...

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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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