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energy efficiency

Can you take the heat? Summer savings tips

Summer is around the corner, so make sure your home—and wallets—can handle the heat. Check your HVAC system. Have a professional check your HVAC system. Consider cleaning your air-conditioning unit’s filter once a month, but at the very least once every three months. It’s an easy way to improve the…...

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The forecast is sunny for La Grange principal’s electric bills

When Tim Sheldon moved to La Grange from a multi-unit building in Chicago two years ago, he finally got the opportunity to install solar panels, something he had been interested in for years. “In one hour the sun showers us with enough energy to power us for a year, we…...

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Energy myths busted

Congratulations to CUB’s Energy Myths Quiz winners: Regina from Aurora and Patricia of Oak Lawn! They each won $100 off their October utility bills for taking the time to bust some energy myths. Whether you took the quiz or not, check out the answers below to see how your energy…...

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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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Cheaper alternatives to buying new windows

Air loss from poor window insulation can account for up to 30 percent of your energy bills, but buying new windows ($8,000-$15,000+) may not be in your budget. Here are some simpler, less expensive ways to upgrade your windows: Seal any cracks and openings. This is a pretty simple job…...

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So what does that Energy Star sticker mean?

The Energy Star program, managed by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), identifies appliances that reach certain energy efficiency standards. That means they are designed to perform just as well as standard appliances, while also saving you money. How do I identify an appliance that…...

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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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My Electric Vehicle Acid Test

for Medium.com by David Kolata, CUB’s Executive Director I could say I’m pumped — but that’s not quite right, given that I’ve bypassed the gas station. Maybe ‘juiced’ is a better way to describe how I feel about my first electric vehicle (“EV”), a 2018 Chevy Bolt. The new 2018 Chevy Bolt and…...

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Central AC Cycling or Peak Time Savings?

Peak Time Savings and Central AC Cycling are two ComEd programs that could help you save money–but you have to choose between one or the other. They’re both good programs, but sometimes, consumer ask us which one to choose. We did a deep dive to help you choose the one…...

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Finding the right A/C unit for your home

A correctly-sized room air conditioning unit can make a big difference in its performance. A bigger unit does not guarantee better cooling. You need to make sure the air conditioner size is proportionate to the room. It’s easy to think a larger unit produces more cool air, but not exactly.…...

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