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Energy

CUB’s Earth Day Giveaway has a winner!

Congratulations to Sarah, the winner of CUB’s Earth Day Giveaway! She’s just won $25 off her next utility bill as well as an energy efficiency kit: an LED, a smart power strip, and a Kill A Watt. Runner-up winners were Nancy and Mary-Jo. Each will receive an LED bulb. Congrats! Sarah,…...

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Energy Reports: Helpful or Headache?

Not too long ago, CUB began noticing an uptick in complaints about periodic “energy reports” being sent to consumers from the utility companies.  The reports give consumers information about their home’s natural gas and electricity usage, include tips on making homes energy efficient, and compare energy usage to neighbors. While the…...

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Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Just when we thought we were out of the woods, another record-breaking arctic blast has taken the country hostage. We know many of you are dreading your impending utility bills, so before it’s too late, find out how to cut costs and avoid the polar vortex punch. First, join CUB…...

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Kink in Illinois law leaves renewable energy funds untouched

A fund created to support renewable energy is projected to exceed $140 million by September—but state officials don’t have the authority to touch the bulk of it. We are asking Illinoisans to tell legislators to tweak the law so that wind and solar power can become a bigger part of…...

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CUB on Fox Chicago: How to keep your home warm in the bitter cold

CUB’s consumer alert sparked a live interview on Fox Chicago. A cold snap like this shows how important energy efficiency is! Watch CUB’s Fox interview here....

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7 tips for protecting your home from the ‘damn cold’

The experts say Illinois is getting slammed by a “polar vortex,” a rotating pool of frigid air bringing dangerous, record-low temperatures and wind chills of up to 50 degrees below zero. But one Chicago native had a simple way of describing it: It’s “damn cold.” The same energy efficiency tips…...

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Last-minute gift guide, for the energy nerd in all of us!

Around this time of year, I’m usually on the naughty list–the one my wife keeps. That’s because I’m still rushing to get that one last gift for the family member who has everything. For all those last-minute shoppers, we’ve put together a guide to energy-related gifts that save money, and…...

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Exposed: Lies about your gas bill!

Over 30 years of consumer advocacy, CUB has heard a lot of misinformation about utility service–yep, some real doozies! As winter approaches, here’s our list of the top 5 myths about your gas bill. Myth No. 1: There’s nothing you can do to cut your energy bills. CUB’s free online tool,…...

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10 energy-saving tips for pet owners

Energy efficiency can be a major challenge for pet owners, who typically have a furry, feathery or scaly resident that never leaves the house. But you don’t have to choose between keeping your pet comfortable and minimizing your energy costs—these simple actions will help you achieve both. 1. Use a programmable thermostat. In…...

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Good news for Ameren natural gas customers?

Ameren is predicting its customers will see lower natural gas prices this winter—but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll see lower bills. The utility says it expects prices to hover between 53 and 55 cents per therm, down about 5 percent from the prices customers paid last winter. But Ameren cautioned that lower prices don’t guarantee…...

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