Not sure if your energy efficiency project is financially or logistically possible? We offer incentives to participate in a study to help your business determine the feasibility of implementing specific energy efficiency projects in your facility or building. Key points include:Cash incentives will cover up to 75 percent of the study costs (capped at $20,000 or 75 percent of the estimated annual energy savings identified in the study)Your business will have up to six months to complete the study.Internal staff cannot be used for this study; a third-party contractor must be used.Pre-approval is required — all paperwork and documentation must be submitted for review prior to participating in the feasibility study. Apply Now

Technical Assistance & Optimization Services

Ameren Illinois offers a range of programs to help businesses identify cost-effective, energy-saving opportunities to maximize building performance and save you money.

The Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program works closely with customers to identify and implement a variety of energy-efficient upgrades — from standard lighting projects to customized projects that are unique to the facility. We can help you plan a long-term energy efficiency strategy, determine the feasibility of specific projects and much more!

Optimization Services

Optimization Services offered by Ameren Illinois include:

Technical Assistance Services

Technical Assistance Services offered by Ameren Illinois include:

Retro Commissioning

Retro Commissioning is the process of fine-tuning building systems to ensure a building is running at its optimal performance. It addresses problems that have developed throughout a building’s life due to issues such as aging equipment and changes in how spaces are used by occupants.

During Retro Commissioning, a certified Program Ally contractor will identify equipment in your facility that is not operating efficiently, systems that need to be replaced or adjusted, and other opportunities for operational improvements. You will then receive a recommended list of energy-saving improvements.

Retro Commissioning can help you:

Uncover hidden problems that may be making your facility less efficient.
Reduce operating costs by improving system and equipment performance.
Improve safety and comfort for building occupants.

There are three incentive options for Retro Commissioning:

Option 1: Retro Commissioning Lite (RCx Lite)

RCx Lite is for facilities with 20,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. of air-conditioned space that may not have the time or financial resources to survey the entire facility. RCx Lite focuses on specific areas of the facility and identifies no- and low-cost energy efficiency improvements that can help reduce usage.

Incentives through RCx Lite can cover up to 100 percent of the survey cost for tune-up projects that have a simple payback period of up to one year. A typical facility can expect to achieve an energy savings of up to 30 percent. Measures that may qualify include:

Adjustment of lighting and HVAC operating schedules
Adjustment of HVAC set points
Redeployment of inoperable HVAC dampers and controls

Option 2: Large Facilities RCx

Large facilities of 100,000 sq. ft. or more qualify for Large Facilities RCx. This includes industrial, healthcare and commercial buildings that can optimize the operation of their existing lighting, HVAC and energy management systems.

Incentives through Large Facilities RCx can cover up to 90 percent of the discovery phase for tune-up projects that have a simple payback period of up to one year. A large facility can expect to achieve an energy savings of 15 to 30 percent. Measures that may qualify include:

Adjustment of lighting and HVAC operating schedules
Adjustment of HVAC set points
Redeployment of inoperable HVAC dampers and controls

Option 3: Industrial Refrigeration RCx

Industrial Refrigeration RCx provides cash incentives to assist food processing facilities, refrigerated warehouses and process cooling in optimizing the operation of their industrial refrigeration systems. Incentives through Industrial Refrigeration RCx can cover 90 percent of the discovery phase for tune-up projects that have a simple payback period of up to one year. Measures that may qualify include:

Lowering condensing pressure
Raising suction pressure
Evaporator fan control
Evaporator defrost settings
Compressor sequencing

All Retro Commissioning survey work must be performed by an approved Retro Commissioning Service Provider (RSP). System adjustments may be performed by an RSP, an in-house resource or a contractor of your choice.

Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx)

This program offers support for Monitoring-Based Commissioning of HVAC, industrial and other systems. Eligible MBCx systems will collect key data points and look for trends using an analytic software package capable of identifying energy savings opportunities.

Incentives through MBCx can cover up to 100% of the installed costs for the software and equipment with a simple payback period. Monitoring-Based Commissioning must be performed by a Monitoring-Based Commissioning Registered Service Provider (RSP).

Metering & Monitoring

Advanced sub-metering and energy monitoring can show you when, where and how much energy is being used in your facility — making it easy to pinpoint specific areas for upgrades. Metering and Monitoring through Ameren Illinois can provide your business with financial incentives to install enhanced monitoring equipment and software, covering up to 100% of the cost and positioning your facility to receive additional incentives for completed energy efficiency projects.

Pre-approval is required before submitting final paperwork.
Projects generated through Metering and Monitoring must be submitted within 24 months from the time your base incentive is approved.
Program Ally contractors can help set up your metering and monitoring equipment.
Energy Advisors from Ameren Illinois are available at no cost to assist your business with the application process.

It’s simple to get started. Download the application and application guide for more information about eligibility and details on financial incentives.

Virtual Commissioning (VCx)

Virtual Commissioning™ (VCx) is a free service that provides custom recommendations on how to reduce energy use in your building, typically reducing participant energy usage by 11 to 17%. Participating is fast and easy with no on-site visits, eligible equipment or enrollment paperwork.

VCx will help you identify energy-saving opportunities such as:

Optimizing equipment schedules to match actual occupancy
Managing equipment start-up and shut-down schedules
Identifying equipment setbacks to address unnecessary usage

What to expect:

Step 1: An Energy Advisor remotely analyzes data from your utility smart meter.
Step 2: The Energy Advisor presents personalized low- and no-cost recommended adjustments customized to your facility’s operating systems.
Step 3: You implement energy savings recommendations.
Step 4: The Energy Advisor confirms, measures and verifies the energy savings from your changes.

For an overview of the VCx program, download this brochure. For enroll or for more information, email enroll@energyadvisorprogram.com.

Strategic Energy Management (SEM)

Strategic Energy Management (SEM) is a continuous process of planning, implementation and monitoring energy consumption and operational practices to provide a path for achieving energy-savings goals. By incorporating an energy management program into daily operations, businesses can ensure their savings goals are not only realized, but sustainable.

Planning and executing a successful SEM program can be a daunting task to undertake. The Strategic Energy Management Guide provides best practices and steps to take as your organization embarks on this endeavor. It also highlights financial incentives available through Ameren Illinois that can help your organization realize its energy efficiency goals.

The SEM offering is only valid for select customers — call 1.866.800.0747 to see if your facility qualifies. To learn more about SEM and its benefits, contact Tom Tyler at TTyler5@ameren.com or 636.375.9302.

Feasibility Study

Not sure if your energy efficiency project is financially or logistically possible? We offer incentives to participate in a study to help your business determine the feasibility of implementing specific energy efficiency projects in your facility or building. Key points include:

Cash incentives will cover up to 75 percent of the study costs (capped at $20,000 or 75 percent of the estimated annual energy savings identified in the study)
Your business will have up to six months to complete the study.
Internal staff cannot be used for this study; a third-party contractor must be used.

Pre-approval is required — all paperwork and documentation must be submitted for review prior to participating in the feasibility study.

Process Energy Assessment

A Process Energy Assessment (PEA) is a comprehensive industrial energy “treasure hunt” focused on identifying energy conservation measures in manufacturing plants served by Ameren Illinois, including improvements to lighting, HVAC, motor VFDs, steam, compressed air, refrigeration systems and manufacturing processes.

The one-week assessment kicks off with a virtual meeting to make introductions and discuss logistics, safety requirements, timelines and expectations. Our team will then tour the plant, gather information and perform calculations on potential energy efficiency measures. Finally, we meet with plant staff to summarize our findings, answer questions and discuss next steps for project implementation.

A PEA is free for Ameren Illinois customers, but availability is limited to large manufacturing customers only. Ask your Energy Advisor about eligibility.

Application Assistance

For application assistance or to see if your facility could benefit from financial incentives, request a FREE Energy Consultation with an Energy Advisor.