Investments in the electric grid have increased reliability and customer satisfaction

CHICAGO (June 15, 2021) – Summer in northern Illinois brings barbeques, outdoor fun and the potential for extreme weather. ComEd's investments to maintain and upgrade the grid are bringing improved reliability and protection against outages caused by extreme weather events that can happen more frequently as a result of climate change. While ComEd provides families and businesses the power to stay cool this summer, the company's energy efficiency programs also give them ways to reduce their energy bills.

"Last summer, we experienced some of the most extreme weather to ever hit the ComEd service territory," said ComEd President and COO Terry Donnelly in separate presentations to the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Chicago City Council's Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy. "We're using that experience as we look to improve reliability and prepare for whatever Mother Nature might throw our way."

ComEd's smart grid investments and the hard work of more than 6,200 employees delivered the reliable power that northern Illinois families and businesses expect and prepare the system to withstand major storms and extreme temperatures. Since starting smart grid investments in 2012, ComEd has achieved best on record customer satisfaction, primarily driven by improved reliability and reasonable rates. In this time, ComEd has avoided more than 16 million customer outages due in part to smart grid and system improvements, including digital "smart switches" that automatically reroute power around potential problem areas. The avoided outages have saved customers $2.7 billion, including avoided business losses.

"Our first responsibility is to safely provide reliable energy to the families and business in northern Illinois," Donnelly said. "The investments we've made in the energy system, especially in the last 10 years, have ensured that our customers are seeing less interruption in their lives and their business operations."

Ways to save money and energy

In addition to providing reliable energy, ComEd offers energy-saving tips for customers to save money and energy all summer.

• Clear area around cooling vents.
• Furniture, carpets, and other objects can block vents and prevent air from traveling. This blockage makes the cooling system work harder and prevents rooms from cooling down quickly.
• Use window coverings to keep out heat.

• Install window coverings to prevent heat from getting in through the windows during the day.
• Operate thermostat efficiently.
• Set the thermostat at about 78ºF when home. If the home will be unoccupied for more than eight hours, turn up the thermostat 7-10 degrees.
• Overnight, turn up the thermostat 3-4 degrees while sleeping.
• Use fans and ventilation to stay cool.
• Turn off ceiling fans when not in the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.
• Keep cooling systems running efficiently.
• For maximum energy affordability, schedule regular maintenance for cooling equipment. Take advantage of ComEd's rebates on AC and heat pump tune-ups.
• Vacuum the air intake vents regularly to remove any dust buildup.
• Change the air filter at least once every three months.

For more energy-saving tips, visit ComEd.com/HomeSavings.

Since 2008, as a result of ComEd's energy efficiency program, ComEd customers have saved more than $5.6 billion on their electric bills and enough energy to power 6 million homes for one year. This has the environmental equivalent of removing 5.4 million cars off the road for one year or reducing over 61 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emitted into the air. 

While the energy efficiency program helps customers save on their electric bills, ComEd also offers resources for customers who are having difficulty paying their bill, including extended payment arrangements and grants for eligible customers who are facing financial hardship. For more information or to enroll, visit ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance or call 800-EDISON-1 (800-334-7661).