Because all of us are playing our parts to decrease the spread of COVID-19, consumption of home utilities has increased drastically. According to Henry Fountain, in his article for The New York Times in April, “people are using up to 25% more energy during the daytime as they work or go to school remotely, or cook, or binge-watch more.”
In the last few months, you may have bought more equipment to work from home, or for your children for them to learn from home. Are you cooking, washing dishes and clothes, or showering more frequently? Maybe you have been running your cooling, or heating, more often? Have you taken a closer look at your utility bill, lately?
Unfortunately for some, these changes can not be ignored and can cause stress and worry about being able to afford paying bills. The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Illinois and the Aurora Public Library (APL) are teaming up to help relieve those worries. CUB will be virtually presenting an interactive program from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2 for the Aurora Public Library on ways to save on home energy costs during this economic downturn.
APL and CUB realize how concerning it can be to constantly worry about how to pay off bills during this time. Presenter Foluke Akanni will be discussing tips, as well as a variety of free programs that can help lower bills and increase the efficiency of home energy in the future. Ms Akanni will discuss new consumer protections that Illinois regulators have passes for utility consumers struggling financially during the pandemic, how to avoid alternative debt reduction companies, and how Aurora’s electric aggregation program fits into the bigger picture.
There is so much useful information to be discovered by attending this event. Because this program is interactive, Ms Akanni will field questions at the conclusion of the presentation. “The Citizens Utility Board is a well-respected, independent organization,” said Janet Stephens, references manager at West Branch, “and the Aurora Public Library is looking forward to making their expertise available to help lower your energy costs.”
We hope you will join the Aurora Public Library and Citizens Utility Board for this free, home-energy savings event! If you cannot make the date, the program will be recorded and made available on the Library’s YouTube channel after the program. Here is where you can register: tinyurl.com/APLSaveHomeEnergy. Please include an E-mail address so the Library can send you the Zoom invitation.
Andrew Muñoz is communications coordinator at the Aurora Public Library.