Earth Day: 5 ways to be energy efficient from your couch

Do you have a smart home? Do you take advantage of smart meter data on your electricity usage? Are you doing your part to contribute to an energy efficient Illinois? Even if you've made no actionable steps toward increasing your home's energy efficiency, you can start now, and it's really simple.

According to a recent study, two-thirds (66 percent) of Americans plan to take steps to make their homes energy efficient in the next year, and 84 percent of those say saving on their energy bills is the driving factor behind the changes they plan to make.

On Earth Day, it's a good time to think about how you can become more energy efficient. Thanks to smart meters and new technologies you have access to data and a level of transparency for informed decision-making that turns the idea of a smart home into reality for many Illinois residents.

Here are five ways you can help conserve energy and save money in the process, all from the comfort of your couch this Earth Day:

• Track Data: Thanks to a new wave of home automation products and the rollout of smart meters, you'll be able to integrate your smart meter data to track how much you're using and at what times with:

Devices like Rainforest and Ambient that connect to smart meters and allow consumers to monitor not only energy usage, but stock prices, traffic congestion and pollen forecasts;

Smart thermostats like Nest Learning Thermostat and ecobee3 that learn to adjust based on your everyday habits, ideal habits and the humidity.

• Get Your Money Back: Think of the tech as an investment. You'll have access to data that can help you monitor and control your electricity usage. ComEd and People's Gas offer unprecedented rebates on approved smart thermostats to help you save even more through your commitment to an energy efficient Illinois.

• Download Apps: Take advantage of free apps like Chai Energy, which show where energy and money is being wasted in your home. This will allow you to monitor your energy use, control your thermostat, and turn off the lights, among other things, all on the go. You now have the freedom to monitor these from your smartphone and manage your electricity usage from anywhere — ultimately saving you money each month.

• Join Peak Time Savings Programs: Now that you have the capabilities to monitor your electricity on-the-go, you can sign up for programs like ComEd's Peak Time Savings program where you can receive notifications about peak savings times and get a credit on your bill for turning down your air conditioner during very hot summer days when electricity demand peaks. You can also see and manage electricity usage data, allowing for better management of energy and bills.

Both ComEd and Ameren also have hourly pricing programs, allowing you to opt-in to variable electricity rates based on grid demand and the price of wholesale electricity — this has been saving consumers more than 15 percent on their bills.

• Get Involved in Your Community: Organizations like Smart Power Illinois are bringing opportunities to your neighborhood, giving you the chance to check out a utility bill clinic, host an informational gathering or even receive a free home audit. Learn more about what a smart meter coming to your city means for you on the Smart Power Illinois website at smartpowerillinois.org. You can also check ComEd and Ameren's sites to see when smart meters are coming to your neighborhood if they haven't already.

With the rollout of smart meters, you have the opportunity to be at the forefront of smart home technology, revolutionizing the way you think about energy usage and providing you with access to the information you need to make more energy-conscious decisions — this is just the beginning.