With energy bills expected to rise this winter, here are some ways to save money

Royale Bonds, State Journal-Register
·3 min read
The Springfield area could see one to three inches of snow Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Lincoln.

As the winter months near, people are concerned about heating and energy bills going up.

According to Ameren Illinois spokesperson Marcelyn Love, residential customers could expect to see a 25 percent increase in their energy bills compared to last winter.

"There's a continuing energy supply challenge in downstate Illinois. When demand for energy is high and supply is low, that drives up costs," Love said. "Higher energy prices is the reason our customers will continue to see increased energy bills."

Ameren Illinois doesn't profit from the sale of energy. The cost of energy supply makes up more than half of the typical residential customer's bill, according to Love.

Electric bills are expected to drop while gas bills are estimated to rise as it gets colder. Most people don't have electricity as a heat source, a City Water, Light and Power representative said.

According to the American Gas Association, natural gas prices will remain high due to increased global demand for energy along with supply constraints.

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Ways to lower that energy bill

"The single best way to mitigate the impact of higher energy prices is to use less energy," Love said.

Other ways Ameren suggests customers can lower energy bills:

  • Open drapes, blinds or curtains to let sunlight in. Using warm sunrays can help heat up homes. At night, close blinds and curtains to keep the heat inside.

  • Keep heating vents open and not blocked by furniture or other items, vacuum out any dust or pet hair from registers and air returns that may have collected throughout the spring and summer.

  • Have chimneys cleaned and vent systems checked during the fall.

  • When fireplaces are not in use, close dampers to keep warm air in.

  • Check doors and windows for air leaks. Sealing those doors and windows with caulk or weather stripping can save up to 10 percent on a energy bill.

  • Installing a smart thermostat can help manage usage and save on energy costs.

Assistance for energy bills

Sangamon County Community Resources Executive Director David MacDonna said 6,200 households in Sangamon County received more than $6 million in utility assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program last year.

MacDonna encourages people to apply as soon as possible.

"It started September 1. It's first come, first served. We take applications in as we receive them and process them as fast as we can. We hire additional people just to help with the applications because we know we're going to get so many," MacDonna said.

There are many programs available to help those who qualify for assistance with energy bills including:

  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grants are available to those who qualify. The application period started Sept. 1 and ends May 31 or until funding is exhausted.

  • The Smart Thermostat Incentive Program can save customers up to 10 to 12 percent a year on heating costs and a $100 rebate available to customers with the purchase of a smart thermostat.

  • Home Efficiency Income Qualified (HEIQ) Program assists customers with receiving a free Home Energy Assessment to identify areas where a residence is losing energy. Solutions such as air sealing, insulation or HVAC upgrades can be implemented at little or no cost with available grant funding and special financing.

  • Warm Neighbors Cool Friends (WNCF) is a year-round program that helps those who generally do not qualify for financial assistance from other government or non-profit programs. Those who qualify can receive up to $350 for this heating season. The program also helps customers reduce energy usage by installing insulation, air sealing, caulking and replacing of heating units.

Other assistance programs can be found on the Illinois Commerce Commission website and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: How to prepare for an increase in energy bills this winter