Energy Conservation & Safety

Money Saving Tips

• Check the filter on your air conditioner once a month during the summer and regularly clean or change the air filter on your furnace during the winter.
• Insulate hot water heater and pipes.
• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater
• Direct sunlight reduces a window air conditioner's efficiency, so place units on the north (or shady) side of your house or shade from the sun.
• Set your thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and use a fan to circulate the air.
• Keep the refrigerator door closed and make sure it has adequate circulation.
• Turn off appliances and electronics when not in use.
• Keep your light fixtures clean. Dirt can absorb as much as half of the light.
• Don't just leave the lights on. Use timers, motion sensors, and photosensors.
• Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes - this will save water and electricity.
• Plant some trees. Deciduous trees, which lose their leaves in the winter, can help you reduce your energy costs during the summer because their foliage provides shade. Also, in the winter, after their leaves have fallen, the sun's warmth passes unobstructed into your home. Strategically placed shrubs and vines can also reduce the effect of the sun's heat - but remember to keep the shrubs around your meters trimmed so City employees can read your meter easily.

Other helpful tips can be found on the Keep Warm Illinois website.

Electric Safety

Please keep in mind these safety tips for you and your family.

• Never touch anything electrical if you are wet or standing in water.
• If you see a fallen power line, stay far away - low lying power lines can be blown by the wind or they can even move from electricity in the wire.
• Never fly kites, model airplanes or balloons near power lines.
• Don't climb power poles or trees near power lines.
• Never touch or go near electrical equipment.
• Do not play on or near transformer boxes, or put anything in any holes in them.
• Obey signs marked "Danger," "High Voltage," or "Keep Out," - they are there for your safety.

A reminder for those installing electric vehicle chargers 

Residents are required to obtain a permit from the city if they are replacing or making modifications to their electrical panel inside their house to install an electric vehicle charger. When you obtain a permit, the city’s inspector will review the completed work to ensure the work is in compliance with the city's electrical code and is safe for the resident. Any unpermitted work by and unqualified contractor puts the resident at risk of violations of city code which will result in penalty.  

Visit the City's Building Permit Applications webpage for details on electric service permits.