Staying cool and safe with hot ideas from Ameren Illinois

PEORIA, Ill., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With the prospect of more hot weather for the next several days, Ameren Illinois is advising customers on how to stay safe and cool while better managing their electricity usage.

Typically, residential customers use more electricity during the summer months than the rest of the year. Most of this additional electricity is used to operate air conditioners.

"We work to maintain the reliability of our energy delivery system to meet the higher demand for energy that comes with hot weather," said Ameren Illinois President and CEO Richard Mark. "We also want our customers stay safe and cool while taking the steps necessary to better control their electricity usage."

Ameren Illinois offers these hot weather safety and savings tips:

• During extremely hot weather, check on friends, neighbors and relatives who may be especially vulnerable to high temperatures, such as those who are older, have medical issues or do not have air conditioning.
• If you do not have an air conditioner, consider going to an air conditioned place during the hottest times of the day. Options may include the home of a friend or neighbor, a shopping mall or a public building. Some communities have temporary cooling centers.
• In addition to staying as cool as possible, it is important to drink plenty water or other liquids that do not contain caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar. Never wait until you are thirsty to drink.
• If possible, turn the air conditioner's thermostat up a few degrees. For each degree you increase the temperature, you can reduce electricity use by about 3 percent.
• Use low operating cost ceiling fans or other types of circulating fans. Circulating air feels cooler. By using circulating fans, you may find you can set the air conditioner thermostat at 76 to 78 degrees.
• Regularly change or wash (depending on type) air conditioner filters. This is especially important if you have pets or live in an area that has a lot of dust.
• Keep shades, curtains and blinds closed during the day to reduce effects of solar heating.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Incandescent bulbs produce significant amounts of heat which will cause your air conditioner to work harder and use more electricity. On the other hand, Energy Star qualified CFLs emit little heat and produce light more efficiently. A CFL will save about $5 in electricity costs per year while giving the air conditioner a break. Residential customers may purchase CFLs at participating retailers. CFLs also are available at ActOnEnergy.com or by calling 1-866-845-7085.
• Consider turning off the air conditioner and opening windows on mild days and cool nights.
• ActOnEnergy offers qualified residential customers a $25 rebate on programmable thermostats. These thermostats are more accurate than non-digital thermostats, help you maintain consistent comfort levels and can save residential customers $100 to $200 a year on energy costs.

Complete ActOnEnergy information for residential customers is available at ActOnEnergy.com, by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling 1-866-838-6918.

There also are ActOnEnergy programs for business customers. Information is available at ActOnEnergy.com, by calling 1-866-800-0747 or by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 813,000 natural gas customers in downstate Illinois, and our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com.

SOURCE Ameren Illinois