Want to save money on your electric bill?

PRINCETON — The city of Princeton is continuing its efforts to help customers save money on their energy bills.

At Monday’s Princeton City Council meeting, Superintendent of Electric Jason Bird gave an update on energy-saving opportunities available to customers, including a new online home energy audit survey available at www.princeton-il.com.

The Home Energy Suite software covers a variety of issues, including the impact of weather on energy use and how much energy is used by various types of appliances, windows and televisions.

The audit also includes charts which breakdown energy use system-by-system, Bird said. The audit displays dollar amounts representing various energy costs, such as cooling costs, heating, lighting, cooking, hot water heating and big screen televisions.

The online energy analysis is specific to a home’s construction, local weather and local utility rates, Bird said. That information will provide valuable data to homeowners, allowing them to make cost-effective energy choices, he said.

“Princeton is committed to providing our customers with the most reliable energy efficiency information,” Bird said. “Our Web site provides the most effective way to educate our customers on how they can become more aware of energy use. The online energy audit is letting homeowners know how much can be saved their conservation efforts.”

At Monday’s council meeting, Bird said people outside of Princeton may also go through the online survey, but they need to realize the information is based on Princeton’s electric rates.

The city of Princeton has been actively promoting energy efficiency programs for several years, Bird said. The online survey is a simple way for customers to do their own energy audits, he said.

The online survey also counts toward the city’s established energy program through which customers can submit receipts for completed energy improvements to receive a 15 percent reimbursement, up to $500 for a residential property or up to $1,000 for a commercial property. Eligible expenditures for the rebate include, in part, insulation, replacement windows, lights and energy star appliances.

People without computer-access can also take the survey by calling the city at (815) 875-1231. Also, a detailed flyer on the energy survey will appear in the city’s next electric billing cycle, Bird said. The city electric department personnel will also still be available for home energy audits.