On Nov. 22, The Pantagraph published a letter from me where I told you about the Power Smart Pricing program. I would like to give you an update. Ameren installed a meter that reads my electric use hourly. I agree to pay the market rate for power, which can change every hour.

Power consumption and price peaks in the morning and again in the late afternoon. Power costs are lower in the evening and are very low in the early morning hours. Simply by shifting some large jobs, like laundry and running the dishwasher, to the evening, I save money.

I have had two bills from Ameren since I signed up. In December, I saved $26.22. That was a savings of 24.66 percent over what I would pay under their standard plan. In January, I saved $13, or 12.11 percent over what I would have paid under the standard plan. Real savings. Real money.

Only a couple of dozen AmerenIP customers in the Bloomington-Normal area are taking advantage of this program, and saving money on their electric bill.

I would have thought that after the 10-year rate freeze ended and rates went up, more people would be interested in reducing their electric bills.

If you are interested in finding out more about saving money on your electric bill, get in touch with the Power Smart Pricing people at 877-655-6028.

After my last letter, I had several people ask me if I worked for Ameren. I did. I worked for Ameren and I worked for Illinois Power Co., as a power plant operator and in project management, not in marketing.

I don't get any consideration for talking about this program, except for the satisfaction of helping my friends and neighbors save money.

Wally Taylor

Normal