You have the power.
With smart meters (also referred to as advanced meters) and real-time pricing, Illinois consumers have more control over their energy bills. Learn more about both through the interactive experience inside.
What is real-time pricing?
Your energy bill is calculated by your usage per month in kilowatt hours, multiplied by the current energy rate. Typically, energy companies charge a flat rate for every kilowatt hour. With a smart meter (also referred to as an advanced meter), you can enroll in a real-time pricing program. Real-time pricing allows you to pay rates that vary by the hour based on demand. This means you can adjust your energy use to periods of low demand to receive a cheaper rate. Learn more about real-time pricing programs.
Energy bill per year:
Your annual energy bill shows the amount of energy used multiplied by the flat energy rate charged per kilowatt hour. Today, you pay an average of $1,620 per year on energy bills. With real-time pricing programs, energy rates are set by the hour, so you will have more control over the rate you pay for electricity based on your time of use.
Kilowatt hours used per year:
A kilowatt hour is a measure of electrical energy equal to 1,000 watts per one hour. It is the standard unit of measurement for power consumption. The number of kilowatt hours you use per year is part of how your energy bill is calculated. However, with a smart meter (also referred to as an advanced meter) and real-time pricing programs, you will be charged less per kilowatt hour at times of low demand.
Great job!
As you can see, how long and at what time you use an appliance can affect your energy usage and bill. Smart meters (also referred to as advanced meters) will allow you to view your energy usage so you can have more control over your usage and costs. Here are some tips to reduce your energy usage and lower your bill:
1. It is best to use your dishwasher, washing machine, and clothes dryer between 7:00 p.m. and noon, during off-peak hours. In addition, run the dishwasher and washing machine together to maximize the hot water heater.
2. In the winter, set your thermostat to 68 degrees. In the summer, set your thermostat to 78 degrees. With each degree you decrease in the winter and increase in the summer, you will see a 3-4% decrease in your energy bill.
3. Set your computer to enter system standby/hibernation after 15-60 minutes of inactivity. The lower the setting, the more you save. Additionally, turn off and unplug your computer when it is not in use.
Success!
It is clear that you understand how to optimize your energy usage and reduce energy costs! This control and understanding is a benefit of smart meters (also referred to as advanced meters). Smart meters will allow you to view your energy usage so you can have more control over your usage and costs. For more information, check out the rest of the website!
Real-time Pricing
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How will the smart grid affect you?
A more efficient power grid is coming to Illinois! Learn more about how modernizing the Illinois power grid will help us reduce consumption and optimize the distribution of energy.
Expanding Our Portfolio
The smart grid will make it easier to distribute and store energy. We can incorporate more renewable energy to power our state with diverse and reliable sources.
Keep Illinois, well, Illinois
The smart grid will allow us to have a real-time understanding of our energy usage and will lower the need for more power plants.
Faster Power Restoration
With new technology, the smart grid can track and fix issues quickly and even prevent power outages.
Meeting New Demands
A more efficient grid can optimize power to new smart appliances, reducing energy waste.
Know What You Owe
The smart grid will eliminate estimated bills by allowing you to see when and at what cost you use energy.
Our Power Sources
The majority of Illinois’ power comes from coal, natural gas, and nuclear power sources.
Increasing need for power
The current power grid is overburdened. A less efficient power grid increases the need for costly power plants, built only to handle overflow during peak periods.
Power Outages
Without modern advances in the current power grid system communication, there is no easy way to identify outages, often delaying repairs and resulting in high costs.
Unable to Power Modern Cities
The current power grid was built in the 19th century and is unable to keep up with 21st century problems and technology.
Meter reading
Currently, power companies have to send technicians out to read meters.
Drag the slider to see the benefits of an Illinois Smart Grid.
