Smart Ideas® Help Customers Manage Summer Energy Use

While the weather has been unseasonably cool so far this summer, ComEd is reminding customers they can still take advantage of its Smart Ideas® Energy Efficiency Program, which can help them save energy and lessen the impact on electric bills year round.

Last year during the middle of July, the local region and much of the U.S. experienced a hot-weather streak.  ComEd customers used approximately 65 to 85 percent more electricity on a day with a 94-degree high temperature to cool their homes and apartments, compared to an average summer day. Through ComEd Smart Ideas Energy Efficiency Program, customers can take advantage of these energy-saving initiatives to save energy and money, even if summer temperatures are not at normal levels.

Home Energy Assessments – Customers can receive a free energy assessment of their home, including a customized home energy report identifying additional ways to save, and free installation of energy-saving products such as compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), programmable thermostat, low-flow showerheads, hot water pipe insulation, and bathroom and kitchen sink aerators.

Home Energy Rebates – In coordination with the local natural gas utilities, ComEd offers customers rebates for installing qualifying, high-efficiency equipment and services such as central air conditioning systems and weatherization. Customers can receive up to $400 for installing a qualifying central AC unit, up to $600 for attic insulation, and up to $600 for air sealing. 

Central AC Cycling – Customers can receive bill credits of up to $40 for allowing ComEd to remotely and safely reduce their air conditioning system use during the summer on peak electrical use days. Cycling is only done when needed, and it may occur only on weekdays and for limited periods of time.

Multi-Family Energy Savings – Tenants of multi-family buildings can let their landlord or property manager know about the multi-family energy savings opportunities offered by ComEd. Once the property is enrolled, trained technicians will install free energy-saving products throughout the tenant spaces.

Small Business Energy Savings - ComEd also offers an array of energy savings solutions for business customers. Through the Small Business Energy Savings (SBES) solution, small business owners can receive free energy assessments and technical services to help generate savings that go straight to the bottom line. ComEd offers generous incentives towards the recommended energy efficiency upgrades – such as lighting, LED exit signs and energy-efficient water heater installation. The program will also assign a trained trade ally to help business owners complete the process by providing energy-efficient upgrades from start to finish. 

In addition, customers can start saving money and energy now by following a few simple, low to no-cost tips:

1. Add weather stripping around doors and windows. This helps seal your home, preventing hot air from infiltrating while keeping cool air inside.

2. Keep sunlight out. Close your blinds, shades, drapes, and curtains during the warmest parts of the day, particularly on the sunny side of your home. This will help keep your home cooler, reducing the workload on your AC unit.

3. Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Light bulbs generate heat when they are turned on. Turning off just one 60-watt incandescent bulb that would otherwise burn eight hours a day can save about $19 a year in electricity costs.

4. Use energy-efficient lighting. Incandescent bulbs are inherently inefficient, expelling 90 percent of their energy as heat. ENERGY STAR® certified CFLs and LEDs provide the same amount of light as incandescents and use about 75 percent less energy.

5. Set the thermostat 10° higher during the summer when you leave the home and before going to sleep. This could save you up to 15 percent a year on cooling costs.

For more information on ComEd Smart Ideas Energy Efficiency Program, customers can visit ComEd.com/HomeSavings or call 855-IDEAS-00 (855-433-2700) for residential customers and ComEd.com/BizIncentives for business customers.