As temperatures drop this winter, many of us are digging out the space heater from the crawl space–anything to stay warm, right? But before you plug in, you probably have some questions. Are space heaters cost-effective for home heating? Do they pose a safety risk? What type of heater is…...
Uh oh! 4 red flags in the electric market
Ballooning rates. Misleading marketing. Changing rates. Aggregation deals gone awry. Some pretty crazy stories have emerged in the Illinois electric market this year. CUB has been keeping an eye on developments to help consumers protect themselves in these treacherous times. While many alternative electric suppliers are acting appropriately in the market,…...
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…...
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…...