Oct. 16--While the early cold has furnaces kicking on all over Jacksonville and surrounding communities, some concerned with keeping up with utility payments might be worried about being left out in the cold.

Despite a projected 25 percent decrease in the cost of natural gas this winter, local agencies providing assistance will be just as popular this year due to tough economic times. Those who need help keeping heating costs low enough to manage or finding assistance to keep up with payments have several options.

Leigh Morris, spokesman for Ameren Illinois Utilities, said that there are many small and sometimes obscure ways to save hundreds of dollars a year by being more energy efficient.

"Call us. We want to work with you," Morris said. "We don't want you to get behind. It doesn't serve anyone's interest."

Ameren operates assistance programs such as Warm Neighbors for AmerenIP customers and Dollar More for AmerenCIPS and AmerenCILCO customers. Funding For Warm Neighbors comes from the Energy Assistance Foundation, while Dollar More receives donations from Ameren customers and gives every cent back to elegible applicants. Both are administered through local agencies.

Another source of help is from the federal program Low Income Home Energy Assistance. Those who are eligible for Low Income Home Energy Assistance can receive assistance paying for heating bills. This program is also administered through local agencies.

Those wishing to apply to these and other programs should contact the Morgan County MCS, Morgan County Civic Services or The Salvation Army.

It is also a good plan to do everything you can to save money by being energy efficient.

Contacting Act On Energy, a division of Ameren Illinois Utilities, can provide home and business owners with incentives to remove inefficient appliances and replace them with new ones. These include rebates on lighting and a refrigerator recycling program.

Act On Energy also informs customers of many little ways to cut down on wasted energy. For instance, keeping a cell phone charger plugged in all day wastes energy. Changing furnace filters, lowing temperature of water heaters, and lowering the thermostat by one degree all help to cut utility costs.

Budget billing another service Act On Energy offers which keeps gas bills as a fixed rate based on previous usage to help customers budget their income better. Morris advised people to sign up soon to keep bills at a manageable price.

Weatherizing is a cost-effective way to lower utility bills. Improving caulking around windows, doors, and outlets on exterior walls keeps cold air out and bills low. Checking for air leaks can be done by using incense near potential trouble spots on a cold windy day.

The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program can be available to eligible candidates through the Morgan County MCS.

Here are some of the agencies in the Jacksonville area that can offer assistance:

Morgan County Civic Services, 301 W. Beecher Ave. (217) 243-3330

The Salvation Army, 331 W. Douglas Ave. (217) 245-7124

Morgan County MCS (Morgan, Cass and Scott counties), 345 W. State St. (217) 243-9404

Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials (Brown County), 206 SW Cross St., Mount Sterling (217) 773-3141

Illinois Valley Economic Development Corp. (Macoupin County), 223 S. Macoupin St. (217) 839-4431

Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials (Pike County), 120 S. Madison St., Pittsfield. (217) 285-5424

Act On Energy: Residential (866) 838-6918 / Business: (866) 800-0747

-----

To see more of Jacksonville Journal-Courier or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.myjournalcourier.com/.

Copyright (c) 2009, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Ill.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

NYSE:AEE,

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.