Existing Residential
Program Ally Contractor

Welcome to the Program Ally Resource Page for the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Residential Program.

 

Resources For You

The Program Ally Resource Page provides you with valuable information, including project documentation, training, co-branding, guides, and contact information. Please check the Program Ally Resource Page often for the latest information.

Program Incentive Information

This link below lists product models that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating and are eligible for incentives through the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Programs.

ENERGY STAR Certified Smart Thermostats

ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pump Water Heater

ENERGY STAR Certified Continuous Exhaust Fans

Customers must meet the following criteria for the life of the project to be considered eligible for On-Bill Financing:

• Must be the primary person listed on the Ameren Illinois account
• Must be current on your bill
• Cannot have had a disconnect within the last year
• Cannot be on a pay agreement
• Minimum credit score of 640
• Debt to income ratio of less than 50% (for loans over $3,000)

*Additional criteria may be applicable and can be found at https://il.energyfinancesolutions.com/for-homeowners/the-illinois-energy-loan-program/

*Additional OBF information can be found at AmerenIllinoisSavings.com/OBF

*Program Allies can enroll to offer On-Bill Financing through EFS at https://www.energyfinancesolutions.com/forhomeowners-illinois-loan-program

Instant Incentives

Residential customers receiving incentives through Instant Incentives are also eligible for On-Bill Financing at 8.74% for up to a 10-year term. The interest rate is set to increase to 8.99% effective Nov. 1, 2023. Credit check does apply. Program Allies interested in being able to offer On-Bill Financing must be signed up with our financing vendor, Energy Finance Solutions (EFS). Once you’re enrolled with EFS, your customers will visit the EFS website to apply & you will use this form for pre-approval before installation and again after completion to initiate final approval for payment. Reach out to your Field Energy Specialist with questions.

Illinois Law requires contractors who are installing certain measures for Energy Efficiency Programs in Illinois to be certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). ICC certified contractors must renew their certification each year. Click the link below to find out where you stand with your certification.

Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Installer Certification Requirement

Marketing & Sales Resources

Promote Your Involvement with Co-Branding

As a Registered Program Ally, you can co-brand your marketing materials using the approved Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program Ally logo and text references, as well as order pre-approved co-branded marketing materials. You must follow all co-branding requirements in order to co-brand with the Program.

Co-Branding Requirements

Please read through the Co-Branding Requirements document linked below before creating any co-branded or Program-related marketing collateral. You will find important information on approved uses, text references, and logo requirements.

Co-Branding Requirements

Approved Program Ally Logos

Download the approved Registered Program Ally logos at the links below. Before using the logos in any of your marketing, be sure to read through the Co-Branding Requirements.

Download approved Registered Program Ally logos: Horizontal Version | Vertical Version

Submit Co-Branded Materials for Review & Approval

All co-branded materials created by our Program Allies must be approved by our Program per the Co-Branding Requirements. You can submit a request to have your materials, webpages, social media posts, etc. reviewed and approved by our Program at the link below.

Submit Co-Branded Materials for Review & Approval

Program Ally Marketing Portal

You can order Program-designed and pre-approved co-branded materials for FREE! You can simply download PDF versions or have them shipped to you free of charge.

Program Ally Social Media Toolkit

You can download Program-designed and pre-approved social media posts for FREE from our Program Ally Social Media Toolkit! Click the link below to learn more about the requirements and get started.

Program Ally Social Media Toolkit

Smart Savers Program Ally Social Media and Website Toolkit

Find pre-approved website language and downloadable social media posts for FREE from our Smart Savers Program Ally Social Media and Website Toolkit! Click the link below to learn more about the requirements and get started.

Smart Savers Program Ally Social Media and Website Toolkit

Questions? If you have any questions, contact Tucker Blum at tblum@ameren.com or 1.309.857.9773.

Do you have open positions in your organization, post them on our Energy Efficiency Jobs Board to find qualified candidates!

Click here to visit our Jobs Board

Home Efficiency

The Home Efficiency Initiative allows enrolled Program Allies to complete incentivized energy efficiency projects for eligible Ameren Illinois residential customers. See the Home Efficiency Initiative requisite documents for further details.

Home Efficiency Requisites

Home Efficiency Income Qualified (HEIQ) Requisites

PY22 Health & Safety Measures Guide

The intent of this document is to provide information regarding the Health & Safety related measures that are considered allowable costs as part of an eligible energy efficiency project within the Ameren Illinois Residential Energy Efficiency Programs. This guide provides objectives as well as initial and final conditions expected for each listed measure.

PY22 Health & Safety Measures Guide



Fuel System Distribution Inspection Procedure

This document is designed to provide guidance on what actions to take when there is a fuel distribution system (ie. gas piping) that has a potential leak or when there are combustible gasses present in the ambient air of an Income Qualified eligible residence.

Fuel Distribution System Inspection Procedure



Health & Safety Field Guide

This document is intended to summarize best practices and published guidance for residential contractors and home performance professionals’ safe and effective completion of work.

Health & Safety Field Guide



Building Envelope Field Guide

This document is intended to summarize best practices and published guidance for residential contractors and home performance professionals’ safe and effective completion of work.

Building Envelope Field Guide



Residential Program Insulation Grading Reference Guide

This document is intended to assist with determining the effective R-value of insulation while in the field.

Insulation Grading Reference Guide



Knob and Tube White Paper

This document is intended to provide guidance surrounding the wiring type referred to as “Knob and Tube”.

Knob and Tube White Paper



Suspect ACM White Paper

This document provides guidance on how certain suspect Asbestos Containing Materials are to be considered during a project with the potential for building envelope measures (such as the Home Efficiency Offering, Home Efficiency Income Qualified, or Multifamily)

Suspect ACM White Paper



Home Efficiency Income Qualified (HEIQ) Duct Sealing Work Specification

This document provides more information on the work specification for Duct Sealing through the Income Qualified Offering.

HEIQ Duct Sealing Work Specification

Training Opportunities & Resources

Thank you to everybody who attended the 2025 Virtual Residential Program Ally Kickoff on November 13, 2024. We hope you found the event both valuable and informative.

If you were unable to attend, you can find the presentation slides linked below. For questions, reach out to your Field Energy Specialist.

Kickoff Presentation Slides for Residential Program Allies

2024 August Morning Brief: Home Efficiency IRA Tax Tool

In this episode of the Morning Brief series from the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program, we cover an overview of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as it pertains to the Home Efficiency Market Rate customer as well as introduce the new Tax Credit Tool to help Program Allies promote the IRA tax credits.

2024 August Morning Brief Webinar Recording | Presentation Slides

2024 April Morning Brief

In this episode of the Morning Brief series from the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program, we cover important topics related to the Home Efficiency Income Qualified (HEIQ) Initiative, which provides customers with a FREE Home Energy Assessment, potentially resulting in low to no cost home energy upgrades. Customers can qualify based on their income. Join us for a discussion of recent and upcoming changes in HEIQ. We review recent updates made to the HEIQ customer application as well as the Home Energy Assessment process. In closing we review improved communication plans and various HEIQ process updates.

2024 April Morning Brief Webinar Recording | Presentation Slides

2024 March Morning Brief: Home Efficiency

In this episode of the Morning Brief series from the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program, we cover topics related to the Home Efficiency Initiative, which incentivizes building envelope measures for customers regardless of income. We announce exciting news that expands the number of customers that can be served in this initiative. We also cover the updates to the Home Efficiency Workbook and the updated test form included within. In closing we review other various reminders and tips to aid in your utilization of the initiative for Ameren Illinois customers.

2024 March Morning Brief Webinar Recording | Presentation Slides

2024 March Morning Brief: Available Residential Measures Guide Training

Join us for an overview of the Available Residential Measures Guide. This training is intended for our building envelope and HVAC Program Allies that participate in our Home Efficiency Income Qualified, Home Efficiency Market Rate and Multifamily Initiatives. We cover where to find this document, break down the document layout, review measure description format and cover items of interest for your awareness. This is a great introduction for your company’s administrative staff as well as project lead staff. 

2024 March Morning Brief Webinar Recording

2024 January Morning Brief: Home Efficiency Income Qualified (HEIQ) Workbook and Test Form Updates for Program Year 2024

Join us for an introduction of the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program electrification efforts benefiting income-qualified customers. During the
30-minute Morning Brief webinar, we will discuss:

2024 January Morning Brief Webinar Recording

2023 July Morning Brief: Electrification 101

Join us for an introduction of the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program electrification efforts benefiting income-qualified customers. During the
30-minute Morning Brief webinar, we will discuss:

  • Electrification measures, including displacing propane heat with air source heat pumps.
  • Income-qualified customer benefits for electrification measures.

Electrification 101 Morning Brief Presentation | Electrification 101 Morning Brief Webinar Recording

2023 April Morning Brief – Important Program Updates

Morning Brief Slides | Morning Brief Recording

PY2023 Smart Savers Program Ally Kickoff

PY2023 Smart Savers Program Ally Kickoff Presentation Slides | PY2023 Smart Savers Program Ally Kickoff Recording

August Morning Brief – Generating New Business

Generating New Business

Manufacturer Heat Pump Webinars

Samsung HVAC Webinar | Samsung HVAC Presentation

Lennox Webinar | Lennox Presentation

Mitsubishi Webinar | Mitsubishi Presentation

Believe in the Math Behind Air Source Heat Pumps Morning Brief

Believe in the Math Behind Air Source Heat Pumps Morning Brief Webinar | Believe in the Math Behind Air Source Heat Pumps Morning Brief Presentation

Introduction to Heat Pumps

Introduction to Heat Pumps Webinar | Introduction to Heat Pumps Webinar Presentation

Health and Safety Training Webinar for Program Allies

Health and Safety Training Webinar | Health and Safety Training Webinar Presentation

Connecting Program Allies with Community Action Agencies

Connecting Program Allies with Community Action Agencies | Connecting Program Allies with Community Action Agencies Presentation

QA/QC Hot Topics and Best Practices

QA/QC Hot Topics and Best Practices | QA/QC Hot Topics and Best Practices Presentation

Instant Incentives Midstream HVAC Offering

Instant Incentives Midstream HVAC Offering | Instant Incentives Midstream HVAC Offering Presentation

Snapshot Ancillary Costs Training

Snapshot Ancillary Costs Training | Snapshot Ancillary Costs Training Presentation

Program Ally Orientation: Offering Overview

Program Ally Orientation: Offering Overview | Program Ally Orientation: Offering Overview Presentation

Program Ally Sub-Contractor Overview

Program Ally Sub-Contractor Overview | Program Ally Sub-Contractor Overview Presentation

PY2021 Program Ally Paperwork Training

Program Ally Paperwork Training | Program Ally Paperwork Training Presentation

PY2021 Program Ally Safety Meeting

Program Ally Safety Meeting | Program Ally Safety Meeting Presentation

PY2021 Residential Program Updates

Residential Program Updates Webinar | Residential Program Updates Presentation

Ameren Illinois On-Bill Financing

On-Bill Financing Webinar | On-Bill Financing Presentation

Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Instant Incentives Midstream HVAC for Distributors Webinar

Instant Incentives Midstream HVAC for Distributors Webinar | Instant Incentives Midstream HVAC for Distributors Presentation

Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Instant Incentives Midstream HVAC for Program Allies Webinar

Instant Incentives Midstream HVAC for Program Allies Webinar | Instant Incentives Midstream HVAC for Program Allies Slides

Customer Experience Expectations for Program Allies

Customer Experience Expectations Webinar | Customer Experience Expectations slides

Smart thermostat offering update

Smart thermostat offering update Webinar | Smart Thermostat Offering Update Slides

Multifamily One Stop Shop Energy Assessments

Multifamily One Stop Shop Energy Assessments Webinar | Multifamily One Stop Shop Energy Assessments Slides

AO Smith HPWH

AO Smith HPWH Webinar | AO Smith HPWH Webinar Slides

Bradford White HPWH

Bradford White HPWH Webinar | Bradford White HPWH Slides

Rheem HPWH

Rheem HPWH Webinar | Rheem HPWH Slides

HPWH Webinar

HPWH Webinar for Allies Webinar | HPWH Webinar for Allies Slides
HPWH Webinar for Distributors | HPWH Webinar for Distributors Slides

Blower Door Basics

Blower Door Basics Webinar | Blower Door Basics Webinar Slides

HVAC Performance Toolkit Combustion Air Tool

HVAC Performance Toolkit Combustion Air Tool Webinar | HVAC Performance Toolkit Combustion Air Tool Slides

Energy Audit Inspection Disclaimers Webinar

Energy Audit Inspection Disclaimers Webinar | Energy Audit Inspection Disclaimers PDF

HVAC Toolkit Enhancements

HVAC Toolkit Enhancements Webinar | HVAC Toolkit Enhancements Slides

EE Benefits of Smart Thermostats

EE Benefits of Smart Thermostats Webinar | EE Benefits of Smart Thermostats PDF

Heat Pump Water Heaters What You Need To Know

Heat Pump Water Heaters Webinar | Heat Pump Water Heaters Slides

Heat Pump Water Heaters Videos

Heat Pump Water Heaters Video 1 | Heat Pump Water Heaters Video 2

Income Qualified Work Scope Package Webinar

Income Qualified Work Scope Package Webinar
Warm Neighbors Cool Friends Bonus Form

HVAC Performance Toolkit

This tool is intended to serve as a “how-to” guide on measuring natural gas input, measuring static pressures and determining equipment cfm. – June 2018

HVAC Toolkit Webinar | HVAC Toolkit Presentation | HVAC Toolkit Form

HVAC Performance Toolkit – New Furnace Test

HVAC Toolkit – New Furnace Test

HVAC Toolkit Equipment Selection

This tool is intended to provide guidance regarding replacing heating and cooling equipment and having the right amount of airflow. – Sept. 11, 2018

HVAC Toolkit Equipment Webinar | HVAC Toolkit Equipment Presentation

Instant Incentives

Contractors can receive an instant discount on Central Air Conditioners, Air Source Heat Pumps, Ductless Heat Pumps, Heat Pump Water Heaters, and Smart Thermostats and pass those savings on to your customers! To receive the discount, you must purchase from a participating Instant Incentives distributor. Visit one of the webpages below to view the list of enrolled distributors.

Central Air Conditioners
Air Source Heat Pumps
Ductless Heat Pumps
Smart Thermostats
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Gas Furnaces

Additional Resources

Current Product Categories, Requirements, and Incentive Levels
Heat Pump Water Heater Training Webinar | Heat Pump Water Heater Training Slides
Heat Pump Water Heater Informational Video
On-Bill Financing Technical Review Authorization Form
Become an Instant Incentives Program Ally Contractor

Upcoming Training Events

Questions?

If you have questions about the program, please contact one of our Field Energy Specialists:

Northwest: Contact Joey Starr at 1.309.323.9941 or JStarr@ameren.com 

Metro East/Quincy: Contact Tim Huber at 1.314.302.2919 or THuber@ameren.com

East: Contact Justin Shearer at 1.309.509.8207 or JShearer@ameren.com

Southwest: Contact John Wilson at 1.618.980.1272 or JWilson@ameren.com

Southeast: Contact Matt Flowers at 1.217.821.1111 or MFlowers5@ameren.com