Improvements in its natural gas delivery infrastructure and upgrades to its underground storage capabilities ensure that Ameren Illinois is ready for a blast of arctic temperatures forecast, according to a news release from the company.

Natural gas is the primary fuel source used by nearly 1 million Ameren Illinois customers to heat homes and power appliances in the winter.

“The investments we have made to strengthen our pipelines, along with having an abundant supply of gas already purchased and available for delivery, ensures that we will be able to meet the expected increase in demand that comes when temperatures drop,” said Lenny Singh, chairman and president of Ameren Illinois.

The company owns and operates 12 underground storage fields, capable of safely storing 24.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Ameren Illinois natural gas storage fields are located in the following areas: Ashmore, Centralia, Eden, Freeburg, Galesburg, Glasford, Hookdale, Hillsboro, Johnston City, Lincoln, Sciota and Tilden. The company’s storage field in Freeburg, for example, holds 1.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas or enough to fill (St. Louis Cardinals) Busch Stadium 80 times.

Ameren Illinois also leases an additional 15.3 billion cubic feet of gas from fields located outside of Illinois. The storage fields serve three primary purposes:

· Enable Ameren Illinois to purchase natural gas at lower prices during the spring and summer months, store it in extensive underground storage fields, and then withdraw the gas during the winter months to deliver to customers. This helps keep natural gas bills lower in the winter.

· Ensure Ameren Illinois has enough natural gas to meet demand on cold winter days.

· Balance day-to-day, hour-to-hour variabilities of customer demands.

Ameren offers these money saving tips for their customers to further help ease the sting of harsh winter temperatures.

-Adjust your thermostat: save up to 12% on your heating costs by programming a smart thermostat. In the cooler months, lowering your thermostat to the recommended temperature of 68 degrees will help you save money while you use less energy.

-Replace your HVAC filter: replacing your furnace filter every 3 months can save you up to 15% and will help your furnace run efficiently.

-Seal your home: caulk and weatherstripping your doors, windows, along molding and around electrical sockets and switches. Caulk, weatherstripping and window film kits are easy and inexpensive DIY options that can save you up to 30%.

-Open your blinds: 76% of the sunlight that falls on your windows can heat your home. On sunny winter days, open your curtains on the sunny side of your home to help warm your space and reduce the need to turn up your furnace.

-Close your blinds after dark: 30% of a home’s heat is lost through windows when the sun isn’t shining. In the evening, close your curtains and blinds to keep the heat in.

-Set your ceiling fan: set your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise in the winter to keep the warm air from rising to the ceiling. This simple change can help you save up to 15% on your energy costs.