Ameren Illinois residential customers who use natural gas to heat their homes and power their appliances can expect stable supply prices this winter, company officials announced this week.
In the last five years, Ameren Illinois’ natural gas supply prices have declined by 30 percent, thanks in part to the company’s purchasing and price hedging strategies. Ameren Illinois purchases natural gas during the summer months, when prices are lower, and stores it in underground reservoirs to deliver to customers during the colder winter months.
“Natural gas is a great value and a reliable resource to meet the needs of our residential and business customers,” said Brad Kloeppel, Senior Director, Gas Operations and Technical Services at Ameren Illinois. “When customers have the option, they overwhelmingly choose natural gas as their fuel source because it is affordable and dependable.”
Stable winter gas prices are arriving as customers are also seeing lower electricity prices. After a summer in which electricity prices spiked due to supply and demand imbalances, supply prices for Ameren Illinois customers dropped by around 30 percent on October 1.
In addition to stable prices, Ameren Illinois customers can further reduce their heating bills by implementing simple energy-saving strategies. Pat Justis, Director of Energy Efficiency for Ameren Illinois, recommends the following tips:
Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower this winter. Installing a Google Nest thermostat can reduce your heating bill by 10–12%.
Set your water heater to 120 degrees to save energy and improve safety. Lowering the setting can save up to 22% in energy costs.
Replace your furnace filter every three months to save up to 15% and help your furnace run efficiently.
Use weather stripping and caulk to reduce air leaks, especially in walls, ceilings, windows, and basement vents.
To help customers save, Ameren Illinois is offering a $0 Google Nest smart thermostat bundle that includes a free smart plug. The smart thermostat automatically adjusts your home’s temperature according to your family’s schedule, helping you save energy without sacrificing comfort. For more information or to order, visit AmerenIllinoisEEMarketplace.com/Nest-Thermostat.
For more energy-saving tips and details about Ameren Illinois’ energy efficiency programs, visit AmerenIllinoisSavings.com. Enrollment for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) began October 1. Customers can find their local LIHEAP agency and determine eligibility by visiting HelpIllinoisFamilies.com or calling 833-711-0374 while funds are available.
Ameren Illinois customers may also qualify for an additional $150 bill credit. The company has helped facilitate 181,000 connections to energy assistance programs. Recently, more than 5,000 customers who attended an Ameren Community Development Workshop received $300 in bill assistance. In total, Ameren Illinois has provided more than $72 million in energy assistance to customers. For more information about energy assistance programs, visit AmerenIllinois.com/PathToSavings.