Ameren Illinois earns award for energy-saving program
Forget “Minute to Win It.” Families in Illinois who tried Ameren Illinois’ “3 Minutes to Start Saving” program are winning big on home energy costs.
The campaign, which began in September 2016, identified more than 500 low- and moderate-income households eligible for home retrofits, resulting in more than $880,000 in annual energy savings. Ameren Illinois used available household and income data to target customers who would qualify, and marketing efforts included direct mail customized with local success stories, digital advertising, social media promotion, targeted email blasts and targeted in-person events and workshops.
“Many families were surprised at the amount of energy savings; they were even more surprised with how easy and straightforward the process was to identify and install the energy-saving upgrades,” Keith Martin, director of energy efficiency operations, Ameren Illinois, told American Gas.
An Ameren Illinois representative directly installed energy-efficient light bulbs and water-saving aerators and showerheads, Martin said. A local specially trained contractor, part of a network of program allies contracted by Ameren Illinois to deliver efficiency services, performed other upgrades such as air sealing, adding insulation, setting up new thermostats and installing energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment.
The energy audit report completed at the beginning of the process outlined other simple and no-cost ways for the customer to save even more energy and money, Martin said.
Ameren Illinois utilized available household and income data associated with its customers to help target households that were very likely to qualify for the incentive, he said. Customers completed a brief application, and a home energy specialist reviewed the applications and supporting documentation.
The campaign recently earned an Inspiring Energy Efficiency Award from Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance for helping customers reduce their energy usage and save on their energy bills.
Ameren Illinois plans to continue the campaign while looking for areas to improve its communications and marketing efforts.
“We are coupling elements of this campaign with more community outreach, particularly in areas that have higher numbers of lower-income households,” Martin said.
