Winter is starting to settle in and the Illinois Commerce Commission is offering some tips to help save on home energy costs.
The I-C-C recommends scheduling maintenance on your heating system and sealing up drafty windows and doors.
Chairman Carrie Zalewski added this advice.
“Set your thermostat at 68 degrees when you are awake and at home. Turn down the thermostat a couple of degrees more degrees when you are asleep or away. Water heating costs can be reduced by turning your water heater down to 120 degrees and by also by using insulation jackets or blankets around an older water heater.”
Zalewski suggests installing a smart thermostat.
“Smart thermostats are programmable. They can be adjusted by using an app on your smartphone or tablet or laptop. If you program the thermostat correctly you can save up to 20 percent on your gas and electric bills.”
Additionally, the ICC suggests checking with your utility company about enrolling in a time-based electricity rate program.
