The document summarizes a workshop about saving energy and lowering electricity bills. It discusses Power Smart Pricing, which charges higher rates during peak energy use times, and how participants save an average of 10% on their bills. Tips are provided to save on air conditioning and heating which account for over half of energy bills, as well as appliances, lighting, and water heating. Resources for energy efficiency incentives and information are listed.

1. Summer Energy Saving Workshop 2009 Lower Bills – Save Energy

2. Presentation Outline Introductions Overview of Power Smart Pricing Tips to help you save energy and money Discussion

3. CNT Energy Non-profit organization dedicated to helping consumers and communities save energy and money Multi-family energy efficiency retrofits Building performance monitoring Energy planning Real-time pricing

4. When are your electricity bills highest?

5. Did you use more energy in the summer of 2007 or 2008?

6. Will your bills be higher or lower in 2009?

7. Have you considered Power Smart Pricing?

8. Most pay a flat rate. No matter when you use electricity it costs a certain amount.

9. With Power Smart Pricing The price goes up and down depending on the demand for electricity.

10. The price is typically low during mornings, weekends, holidays, and cooler months. $

11. On hot summer weekday afternoons when businesses are up and running, the price goes up. $

13. Since the beginning of the program, Power Smart Pricing participants have saved an average of 10% compared to what they would have paid on the flat rate.

14. Is real-time pricing right for me? It could be a good choice if : ● You are interested in saving money by using energy wisely ● You are typically out of the house during high price periods or are able to make some simple adjustments in how and when you use electricity ● You want to be part of a program that helps you save money and improve the environment It might not be your best option if : ■ You are unable or prefer not to adjust your electricity usage ■ You use very little electricity (less than 400 kWh or $40 per month) ■ You have very high winter electricity usage

15. In the summer watch your usage between 2pm and 5pm.

16. Pre cool your home to save money

17. Other tips to help avoid high price times Wait to wash Charge on the cheap Fire up the grill Feast on cold foods Hit the mall

18. How do you think most of that money is spent? Lighting Air conditioning Refrigerator Heating the home Water heater All other uses Average Illinois household spends more than $2000 per year on energy bills (per Alliance to Save Energy)

19. How do you think most of that money is spent? Lighting Air conditioning Refrigerator Heating the home Water heater All other uses Average Illinois household spends more than $2000 per year on energy bills (per Alliance to Save Energy)

20. Heating and cooling account for 52% of annual energy bills. Take advantage of no and low cost solutions.

21. Heating and cooling account for 52% of annual energy bills. Much of that money is helping out this guy.

22. Doors (11%) Electric Outlets (2%) Ducts (15%) Floors, walls, ceiling (31%) Fireplace (14%) Plumbing penetrations (13%) Windows (10%) Fans/vents (4%) How conditioned air is lost:

23. Tips to save on heating and cooling Conduct a home energy audit (Do It Yourself Home Energy Audit instructions at www.energysavers.gov or consider hiring a professional, www.ilenergyraters.org) Maintain HVAC equipment and clean filters and vents regularly Adjust temperature settings Avoid heating/cooling unused spaces by shutting the vents and doors Use fan to make the room feel cooler while using less electricity than AC unit Source: www.EnergyStar.gov ≥ 85 ⁰ F ≤ 62 ⁰ F When away or asleep ≥ 78 ⁰ F ≤ 70 ⁰ F While at home Summer indoor temperature Winter indoor temperature

24. Clean coils in back of refrigerator Make sure refrigerator door seals are tight Install low flow shower heads and faucet aerators Wrap water heater in a insulation blanket Tips to cut energy use of household appliances Typical US home has 27 devices that are always on. (per Electric Power Research Institute) refrigerator 5% 120 ⁰ F Water heater 5 ⁰ F Freezer 37-40 ⁰ F Refrigerator Recommended temperature

25. Wash full loads when doing dishes and laundry Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use Consider a power strip to easily unplug several appliances at once Choose Energy Star and WaterSense certified products Up to 10% of electric bill goes to powering appliances that are turned off (per US Department of Energy) Tips to cut energy use of household appliances

26. When sunlight is insufficient use Task lighting Dimmers or three way lamps Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or Light emitting diodes (LEDs) Consider timers, photo cells or occupancy sensors Use solar for outdoor lights Shield outdoor lights Cutting cost of lighting CFLs are 4 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

27. Incentives for Efficiency Act On Energy: www.actonenergy.com/home.asp Tax Incentives Assistance Project: www.energytaxincentives.org Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency: www.dsireusa.org U.S. DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: www1.eere.energy.gov/financing/consumers.html Alliance to Save Energy: http://ase.org/content/article/detail/2654

28. Power Smart Pricing: www.powersmartpricing.org CNT Energy: www.cnt.org/energy Energy Star: www.energystar.gov USDOE, Energy Savers: www.energysavers.gov USDOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: www.eere.energy.gov American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy: www.aceee.org Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance www.mwalliance.org Recommended resources