Adopt these habits to save money and energy this fall
Ameren Missouri offers five steps to help customers take control of their energy usage
As fall brings cooler mornings and milder afternoon temperatures, it's the perfect time to revisit home energy habits and prepare for the winter heating season. Ameren Missouri encourages customers to actively monitor their energy usage – a routine that can help save money at home and work and reduce strain on the grid.
Here's an easy, step-by-step guide for customers to better understand their home energy usage:
Visit the energy usage online dashboard. Log in to your online Ameren account and navigate to the usage section to view your current energy usage details.
Take the home profile survey within your account dashboard for customized insights into where your energy is going, based on your home, appliances and habits.
Put your insights into action to start reducing energy consumption.
Enroll in alerts to get notified when your bill is nearing your preferred spending limit.
Check your online account regularly for new money-saving tips and insights.
Download the Ameren mobile app for on-the-go access to your usage information and energy-saving tips.
"We want customers to have the information and tools they need to take control of their energy usage," said Tony Lozano, director of Energy Efficiency and Demand Response at Ameren Missouri. "While saving energy can help them lower their bills, it also gives them an opportunity to adjust their daily energy habits and ultimately help strengthen the grid for everyone."
Customers can also start forming energy-friendly habits to become more energy efficient this fall and beyond:
Unplug "always on" electronics and small appliances when not in use or connect them to smart plugs or power strips that can shut them down completely to avoid energy drain. This could save you as much as $100 per year.
Throw in reusable wool dryer balls with your laundry instead of dryer sheets to cut your drying time nearly in half.
Shorten your shower time to help reduce your energy spending and conserve water.
Open your windows when the weather is good. To encourage efficient air flow and welcome in fresh fall air, open windows on opposite sides of the room.
Program a smart thermostat to automatically adjust your home's temperature when you're away, which saves an average of 8%, or $50 per year. You can also earn $50 for enrolling in the Peak Time Savings (PTS) program.
Ameren customers can participate in PTS year-round. In Missouri, customers must have an electric heat pump to participate this winter.
Replace your furnace filter every three months to save up to 15% and help your furnace run efficiently. A dirty filter also allows dander, mold and dust to circulate throughout your home.
Rebates and savings opportunities on energy-saving products are available at AmerenMissouriMarketplace.com.