If you’ve noticed a spike in recent energy bills, you are not alone.  Ameren customers have reported increases of up to 50% in their bills, while the increase for those on ComEd’s grid is around 10%.  These changes have heavily impacted those on tight budgets and have left them and other customers looking for ways to conserve energy to reduce expenses. 

But why has this happened?  What can customers do to handle the shift?  And what’s next?  Valerie Belusko, Community and Economic Development Educator with the University of Illinois Extension, has the answers.  She says the current phase in an ongoing transition of energy supply is temporarily hampering providers’ ability to supply energy. 

In addition to the decrease in supply, there is an increase in demand.  Many people tend to believe that increase is due to the heat.  However, there is another more novel cause: AI.

From the new to the old, another major cause involves appliances.  Newer models are made to be more energy-efficient, but not everyone has switched over.

Ameren expects their customers’ bills to return to normal in the fall.  Until then, Belusko advises people to be cognizant of how much they use various appliances and to come up with other ways to make meals and do other chores. 

Belusko also recommends that anyone who is concerned about being able to afford energy payments should talk to their provider before bills come in, instead of after they’ve fallen behind. 

More information on the University of Illinois Extension is available at www.extension.illinois.edu or by calling (217) 532-3941.

Valerie Belusko appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.