The group also says consumers can avoid what amounts to a hidden tax.
The Citizens Utility Board urges consumers to sign up for CUB's free online energy saver program.
CUB Executive Director David Kolata says energy saver can cut a typical consumer's electric bill by 5.5 percent, or $55 a year.
"From using inefficient light bulbs, to leaving the coffee maker on, to forgetting to pull the plug on certain unused, energy-guzzling appliances, CUB Energy Saver shows us that there are hundreds of ways to overpay on our power bills, but there are also hundreds of ways to save," said Kolata.
"The CUB Energy Saver has helped our residents to save over 100,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, at a savings of over $11,000," said Evanston city official Catherine Hurley.
