• 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, Ameren Illinois 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, Ameren Illinois provides one advanced power strip per unit at no cost to the property.
• Smart Thermostats: Depending on where you live, the best candidate to save energy in your home is a smart thermostat. These devices offer the ability to monitor and adjust your home’s temperature even when you are away. More importantly, they can be used to automatically turn down your heating and cooling when it’s not needed. Ameren Illinois offers ecobee, Google NEST or Emerson Sensi smart thermostats FREE of charge for each unit and common area (up to $169 value per unit).
• 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 Additionally, if you have outdated florescent lighting, outdoor or security lighting or parking lighting that is on for many hours a day, replacing these with LED fixtures and controls can save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. Ameren Illinois 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.

• 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.
• Ameren Illinois will help you by providing each unit with WaterSense rated faucet aerator and efficient showerheads or handles. Adding thermostatic shower valves and hot water pipe wrap will take your savings per unit on hot water costs even higher, a total product value per tenant unit of up to $75.

• 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: An Ameren Illinois Program Ally Contractor 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. Current incentives include attic insulation upgrades from R11 to R49 at $1.00 sq. ft. and air sealing at $.60 per cfm.

• 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 of up to $50 per unit.
  • 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. Incentives include:
      • $5000-$7500 per unit for ductless heat pumps
      • Up to $300 per unit for heat pump water heaters
    • 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 PTAKs), hot water heaters, commercial laundry, and kitchen equipment. Click here for more information on the Business Program Customer Initiative.
• New Construction and Major Renovations: Before you get started, contact your Energy Advisor for new construction or major renovation information. Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency can review your plans and look for energy saving opportunities and incentives.

Maintenance improves energy efficiency by as much as 25%.* It can also lower
operating costs, save time on repairs and enable your heat pump to last longer.

Check at the Beginning of Each Season & Always Schedule an Annual Tune-Up!

• 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.

Spring

• 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.

Summer

• To ensure proper efficiency, cooling ability and operating life, repair faulty refrigeration metering devices.
• To increase efficiency, keep vents open for unimpeded flow.

Fall

• 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.

Winter

• 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.