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Shut off your heating and cooling system when not in the house.
Whether leaving the house for a few hours or a few days, there is no better method for eliminating costs for heating and/or cooling when not in the house than simply shutting the system off.
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, you can use the vacation setting to maintain energy-saving temperatures when you are gone for several days.
With proper use, programmable thermostats can save about $180 every year in energy costs.*
*U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR programGet Started
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1Locate the heating and/or cooling system controller (whether it be manual, thermostat or programmable thermostat), familiarize yourself with the proper method of shut-down and make it a habit to shut off the system when leaving the house. Add to your comfort and control with the purchase an ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat.
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2For additional energy savings and make your home more comfortable visit the Ameren Missouri Heating and Cooling Program for a list of resources and available rebates.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If I complete this measure, can I track my savings over time?If you mark an item on your plan as completed, we will track your estimated energy use and savings over time. We can use this to find additional savings options.
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Are there other low cost ideas to save money in addition to my Action Plan?In addition to your Action Plan, you can search through our Energy Tips. There are ideas for quick behavior changes, weekend projects, maintenance, when it breaks, health and comfort, and other energy saving ideas. You can easily add those to your action plan.