Ravenswood

Survive the Winter Heating Season with $ Saving Energy Tips

Survive the Winter Heating Season
With MONEY SAVING Energy Tips

With fuel costs rising, the coming winter looks rough for everyone. While you can’t control the price of oil and gas, there are things you CAN do to lower your heating bills by making your home more energy efficient. Here are some tried and true TIPS that everyone can do.

1. Lower your thermostat. Each degree you lower the temperature of your home saves about 3% on your heating bill.

2. Stop your house from “leaking heat.” You can “weatherize” or seal your windows and doors with plastic and tape or by caulking gaps.

3. Get heating help from nature. On sunny days, open blinds and drapes and let the sun warm your rooms. At night, close blinds and drapes to keep the heat in.

4. Be energy smart. When not using lights or radios or televisions or computers, TURN THEM OFF.

5. Be energy safe. Never use the stove or an oven or space heater to heat your home. If your heating is not working or your heat has been disconnected, seek help. And, particularly during the heating season, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working (it’s the law).

6. Plan now for later. Plan now for how you will pay the higher bills. Some may wish to save now for winter; for others spreading the higher cost throughout the year is better. Both utilities (ComEd and Peoples Energy) offer year-round payment plans. For more information call 1-866-556-6001 (Peoples Energy) or 1-800-334-7661 (Com Ed).

7. Utility assistance. If you need help with repairing heating systems, windows and doors – or with paying your bills or if your heat has been cut off – there are resources to help you that you should know about.

8. Attend an ‘Energy Assistance’ event. For dates and locations, call 311.


RESOURCES To Help You Survive
This Winter Heating Season

EHAP – The City of Chicago’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program provides forgivable loans of up to $10,000 to low-income homeowners for emergency home repairs, with an emphasis on furnace replacements from November 1 through March 31. This program is also available to owner-occupied apartment buildings with four or fewer units if the owner has no other way of paying for the needed repairs. If you are renting a house or an apartment, tell your landlord about this opportunity.

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) – This joint program between the federal government and the State of Illinois provides ONE TIME bill payment assistance. While the elderly, the disabled, disconnected households and those moving from public housing get highest priority in this first-come, first-serve program, all of those with limited incomes may apply. To be eligible you must meet income guidelines and show that you’ve made a good-faith effort to pay your bills. Call 311 to locate a CEDA office near you.

SHARE THE WARMTH – This program, funded by Peoples Energy employees and customers, provides “matching grants” up to $200 per household. The program helps qualifying Peoples Energy customers pay their gas bills. For more information and eligibility, call 773-725-1100.

ENERGY AUDITS AND PAYMENT PLANS – Peoples Gas provides energy audits to save you money and will discuss payment plays for individuals and for building owners. Call 1-866-556-6001. For audits, apply on-line at peoplesenergy.com. ComEd will discuss payment plans and conduct energy audits too. Call 1-800-334-7661.

Energy Assistance Events -- Visitors will have the chance to sign up for utility bill assistance, get home weatherization supplies and attend workshops. Eleven events will be held in November, please call 311 for dates, locations and more information.


FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 311