Energy Saving Tips for Your Property
Lower electricity costs, reduce water usage, minimize drafts and replace inefficient appliances.
How We Can Help
Learn how the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program can help your property and tenants save energy!
Lowering Electricity Costs
- Replacing non-LED bulbs and power strips in your rental units:
- LED Bulbs: When you switch to energy-efficient lighting, you can light your units using the same amount of light for less money. According to the Department of Energy, lighting accounts for around 15% of an average home’s electricity use, and the average household saves about $225 in energy costs per year by using LED lighting. If you are still using incandescent light bulbs, switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. By participating in the Multifamily Initiative, the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program provides both standard and specialty bulbs at no cost to the property.
- Advanced Power Strips: Replacing an inefficient power strip with an advanced power strip (APS) can cut unnecessary power loss resulting in saving money and energy. By participating in the Multifamily Initiative, the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program provides one advanced power strip per unit at no cost to the property.
- Smart Thermostats: With a smart thermostat, you can save money, energy and time by automatically adjusting your heating and cooling needs during any season. ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostats can be controlled remotely via a smartphone, tablet or laptop – allowing you to easily manage your usage and start saving on expenses.
- Exterior and Common Area Lighting and Controls Retrofits: In addition to efficient in-unit lighting, consider installing items like motion sensing and light sensing controls in your common area hallways, public restrooms and offices. Additionally, if you have outdated florescent lighting, outdoor or security lighting or parking lighting that is on for many hours a day, replacing these with LED fixtures and controls can save your facility hundreds of dollars a year. The Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program can provide highly qualified contractors who can provide a facility wide assessment of low and no cost solutions. This is available to qualifying properties. Contact an Energy Advisor for more information.
Reduce Water Usage and Hot Water Heat Loss
- According to the EPA, the average family could save 2,700 gallons per year by replacing showerheads with WaterSense rated models. Since these water savings will reduce demands on water heaters, they will also save energy. In fact, the average family could save more than 330 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power a house for 11 days.
- How many showerheads and faucets do you have in your complex? Multiply that number by 2,700 gallons of water per year. Imagine how much water you are able to save annually just by replacing these simple fixtures for showers and faucets with efficient ones. It’s an incredible change that you can make in minutes and it will save you money for years.
Reducing Drafts and Improving Tenant Comfort
- In-Unit Air Sealing: Installing outlet and plug gaskets, door sweeps and sealing around windows and doors can significantly reduce drafts and improve tenant comfort and air quality. Installing these items takes only a few minutes per unit and can save energy. Ameren Illinois will provide each unit with plug/outlet gaskets and door sweeps. We can also advise you on sealing other gaps around windows and doors to save more on heat loss or cold air flowing in through these gaps in the winter resulting in improved tenants comfort without turning up the thermostat, a total product value of up to $20.
- Attic Insulation and Air Sealing: A Program Ally with the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program will partner with your Energy Advisor to do a comprehensive assessment of your property to see if the buildings qualify for building envelope incentives to ASHRAE standards.
Replacing Inefficient Appliances and Other Mechanical Equipment
- ENERGY STAR Appliance Rebates: Ameren Illinois offers rebates on the purchases of ENERGY STAR rated refrigerators and electric washers and dryers. Your Energy Advisor will work with you to apply for these incentive rebates.
- Note: Did you know that most retailers will offer discounts on bulk appliance purchases of 10-15%? All you have to do is ask the retailer and they will work with you.
- ENERGY STAR rated HVAC or Hot Water Heater Equipment Incentives: The Energy Assessment performed by your Energy Advisor will identify opportunities where ENERGY STAR rated units would meet Program criteria.
- If your property meets incentive criteria and availability, your Energy Advisor will highlight those for you during your FREE Energy Assessment.
- From ductless heat pumps and heat pump water heaters to other mechanicals there are several types of incentives available based upon Program criteria and availability.
- Bulk HVAC equipment purchasing: Using your trusted HVAC Contractor, you may be able to purchase energy-efficient HVAC and hot water heaters from a trusted distributor thanks to Ameren Illinois incentives.
- Custom projects: If your property doesn’t fit the criteria for ductless heat pump or heat pump water heater incentives, there may be other opportunities for incentives through our Business Program Custom Initiative. Your Energy Advisor will help identify these opportunities. This can include other HVAC (central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and PTACs), hot water heaters, commercial laundry, and kitchen equipment. Click here for more information on the Business Program Customer Initiative.
- If your property meets incentive criteria and availability, your Energy Advisor will highlight those for you during your FREE Energy Assessment.
- New Construction and Major Renovations: Before you get started, contact your Energy Advisor for new construction or major renovation information. The Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program can review your plans and look for energy saving opportunities and incentives.
Preventative Heat Pump Maintenance Checklist
- Lubricate mechanical components to reduce friction and resistance, preventing wear and improving efficiency.
- Clear obstructions from the condensate drain and repair any cracks or leaks.
- Test heat pump controls to verify proper startup and shutdown, while listening for problematic noise or vibration.
- Check the air filter for dirt and replace, if necessary, to prevent strain on the compressor and components.
- Clean the condenser coil and fan while checking for stability, amp draw and vibrations.
- Inspect belts, pulleys and other components for alignment issues.
- To ensure the motor is drawing proper amperage, check blower wheels and motors for restricted airflow.
- Measure refrigerant levels and recharge the unit, if necessary.
- Clean or change the air filter as recommended or at least once a month, if more frequently used.
Seasonal Maintenance Checklist
- Remove dust from supply and return registers.
- To increase efficiency, keep vents open for unimpeded flow.
- Inspect outdoor coils, if they are dirty, clean them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- To operate efficiently, keep your outdoor unit clear of debris and dirt.
- Change air filters at least every 1 to 3 months of use for best results. This will ensure good indoor air quality, removing pollutants and unhealthy particles.
- Check condensate drain pan for excess water that can cause water damage if it drips down the condensate line.
- To ensure proper efficiency, cooling ability and operating life, repair faulty refrigeration metering devices.
- To increase efficiency, keep vents open for unimpeded flow.
- Trim foliage by at least 18 inches from your outdoor unit and remove any debris.
Remove dust from supply and return registers. - To increase efficiency, keep vents open for unimpeded flow.
- Poor indoor air quality is hazardous to tenant’s health. Replace air filters and clean unit for optimal air quality and unit efficiency.
- Check refrigerant to ensure lines, coils and flare connections are in good condition for efficient running.
- Test compressor to ensure refrigerant is moving between indoor and outdoor units.
- Check unit placement and elevation to prevent drainage problems, freezing and other issues.
- Check the defrost assembly to verify the defrost timer is working.
- Test the crankcase heater to ensure it’s working and that no performance issues will damage the compressor.
- Test thermostat sensors and verify the thermostat reflects current conditions in your space.
- Check for snow or ice buildup, as heat pumps need air flow to function properly.
