A wattage wallop is coming. Ameren Illinois predicts customer bills will rise an average of $52 per month, because it’s costing more to buy electricity. Spokesman Tucker Kennedy says you can do something: adjust the thermostat and look for appliances you can leave on a little less.

Kennedy says it’s important to make careful decisions about the appliances you buy so you can save energy. And if you have wanted to start making your home or business more energy efficient, now’s the time.