ANSWERS

1. Peak Time Rewards events are announced in response to anticipated high energy demand.
2. You will receive a notification of the event’s date and time via your preferred communication methods (email, text, and/or phone call).
3. During an event, reduce your energy use to help give the grid a break which improves service reliability. To earn a credit on your bill, reduce your energy use below your baseline energy use.* Review our energy-saving tips here.

*Ameren Illinois calculates your personal baseline energy use for each Peak Time Rewards event by reviewing your energy use on similar days prior to the event. For more information, see “How is my personal baseline energy use calculated?”

Peak Time Rewards events are announced in response to anticipated high energy demand and could happen at any time during the year, but they typically occur in the summer months (June through September). Peak Time Rewards events most often occur on weekdays during the afternoon when the demand for energy is highest. There is a minimum of at least one event each year and a maximum of twenty total event hours each year. The frequency of events scheduled varies depending on the overall demand for energy.

You can choose to be notified of Peak Time Rewards events by email, text message, and/or phone call. We encourage you to select multiple notification methods, but all Peak Time Rewards participating customers must have at least one selected notification preference. You will be sent a notification via your selected method(s) the day before the Peak Time Rewards event. In rare cases, you may receive a notification from Ameren Illinois on the day of an event. As a courtesy, Ameren Illinois will not send notifications prior to 7 AM or after 9 PM.

This calculation entails four steps.

Step 1: Ameren Illinois identifies the previous 14 days that were not a holiday or a day with a previous Peak Time Rewards event.

Step 2: Ameren Illinois identifies the three days when you used the most energy during the same timeframe as the current Peak Time Rewards event. For example, if the upcoming Peak Time Rewards event is from 2 PM – 4 PM, Ameren Illinois will look at the three days when you used the most energy from 2 PM – 4 PM.

Step 3: Ameren Illinois excludes any of the three days with significantly lower or higher temperature and humidity compared to the forecasted Peak Time Rewards event day.

Step 4: Ameren Illinois averages the remaining days to reach your baseline energy use.

*Baseline energy use = (10 kWh + 11 kWh)/2 = 10.5 kWh

To calculate your rewards, Ameren Illinois looks at your energy use during a Peak Time Rewards event and your personal baseline energy use.* Ameren takes the difference between those two numbers to calculate your reduction and then multiplies it by the current credit per kilowatt-hour** (kWh) to calculate your rewards.

Below is an example of a possible rewards calculation:

The bill credit amount changes from year to year. Each spring, Ameren Illinois obtains the market prices for peak time electricity to determine the credit amount for the program year. Between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021, participants can earn 12 cents per kWh reduced during event hours. Remember, whatever the credit amount, Peak Time Rewards gives you the opportunity to help your community by giving the grid a break which improves service reliability during times of high energy demand. Check out this year’s blog post for helpful tips on how to conserve energy during an event.

*Ameren Illinois calculates your personal baseline energy use for each Peak Time Rewards event by reviewing your energy use on similar days prior to the event. For more information, see “How is my personal baseline energy use calculated?”

**Energy use is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh of electricity is equal to 1000 watt-hours and will power a 40-watt lightbulb for 25 hours (40 watts x 25 hours = 1,000 watt-hours = 1 kWh). Large appliances like your air conditioner, dishwasher, and laundry machines use a lot more energy than lightbulbs.

There is no limit on how many bill credits you can earn through Peak Time Rewards. The more energy you reduce compared to your baseline, the more you earn with credits on your bill. The following table shows how many kilowatt-hours* (kWh) on average your appliances may use.

Avoiding using large appliances during Peak Time Rewards events, along with tools like a programmable thermostat and light timers, can help you reduce your energy use. You can also use Ameren Illinois’ other energy-saving programs to help you take the right actions to earn more rewards. The Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency programs offer tips and additional incentives to help you save.

*Energy use is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). One kWh of electricity is equal to 1000 watt-hours and will power a 40-watt light bulb for 25 hours (40 watts x 25 hours = 1,000 watt-hours = 1 kWh). Large appliances like your air conditioner, dishwasher, and laundry machines use a lot more energy than light bulbs.

**Assuming an electric oven or dryer.

***Assuming a 3-ton air conditioning unit and an average insulated home.

Your bill credits should display as a “Peak Time Rewards Credit” line item on your next Ameren Illinois bill.

You can also view your estimated credits after an event via your Ameren Illinois online account:

1. Log in or create your Ameren Illinois online account here
2. From your main account dashboard, click on “Ways to Save”
3. Under “Energy Profile”, click on “Learn More”
4. Your estimated credits will be available under “Insights”*

*Your credits are estimated until your next Ameren Illinois bill is calculated.

To change your notification preferences for Peak Time Rewards events, please visit the Event Center or call 1.844.787.7874 to speak with a program specialist. Keeping your notification details up to date is important so you can keep participating in events. Remember that at least one working notification method is required to remain enrolled in Peak Time Rewards.

To change your overall contact information where we send program updates, please give us a call at 1.844.787.7874.