Uncover Money-Saving Opportunities with Free Assessments

ComEd offers FREE facility assessments to help schools identify energy-saving opportunities, from lighting and occupancy sensors to HVAC systems and motors. An energy engineer will visit your school to develop a report detailing recommended energy efficiency projects.

Each facility assessment recommendation includes estimated cost, incentives and projected simple payback. Smaller schools—those with under 400 kW peak demand—are eligible for the Small Business offering.

Lower Lighting Costs with LEDs and Occupancy Sensors

Newer LED lamps use about 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer on average than incandescent bulbs. Schools are eligible for instant discounts on commercial-grade lighting and exit sign products—save at the time of purchase, with no paperwork!

Improve the Comfort of Your Buildings… and Your Budget

Heating, ventilation and cooling account for about 30 percent of a typical school’s energy use. Simple enhancements to your HVAC systems can improve student comfort and reduce energy costs.

ComEd offers incentives and technical assistance to tune-up or replace your inefficient HVAC units, delivering more efficient temperature control while using less energy. Each HVAC tune-up includes a thorough inspection and adjustment of the unit’s thermostat, economizer, refrigerant charge, coils and belts for optimal performance. Incentives are also available for HVAC system component upgrades like water and air-cooled chillers, variable speed drives, energy management systems, demand-controlled ventilation and air-side economizers.

Improving Your IT Room Equipment

Your facility most likely houses its vital IT equipment in a closet or room. Computer equipment requires air conditioning to prevent overheating. However, inefficient cooling units may cost more to run and maintain. Thankfully, ComEd offers incentives to help you upgrade your IT room’s equipment.

From energy-efficient air conditioning units to uninterruptible power supplies, you can keep your computer equipment running while also saving money. View our fact sheet to discover other energy-saving opportunities for your IT room.

Cook Up Savings with Energy-Efficient Cafeteria Equipment

Reduce the energy your cafeterias consume by upgrading to energy-efficient cooking and refrigeration equipment. ComEd offers incentives on ENERGY STAR® certified freezers and ice machines, which use less energy via advanced evaporators, condenser fan motors, anti-sweat heaters, vending machine controls and high-efficiency compressors. ComEd can also help make your existing cafeteria equipment more efficient. Improvements to evaporator fan motors lower energy use by about a third while improving cooler performance. Evaporator fan controls reduce fan speed when full airflow isn’t needed. And demand control ventilation systems reduce exhaust usage when cooking slows.

Building Optimization Helps Facilities Work Smarter, Not Harder

Over time, school buildings become less energy efficient—equipment ages, settings and equipment schedules are changed, routine maintenance gets skipped, etc. Through the building optimization process known as retro-commissioning, or RCx, ComEd energy experts provide technical assistance to help you identify no- and low-cost operational improvements for your school’s existing systems and equipment.

A fully-funded building optimization study will provide a list of energy-saving recommendations. You can implement the suggested improvements that make sense for your school. RCx participants have saved an average of 5 percent annually on their electric bills, with an average simple payback of 1.5 years!

Technical Assistance, Incentives on New Construction Projects

Reduce capital improvement costs while ensuring your school buildings are sustainable over the long run. ComEd offers expert technical assistance and energy modeling, in addition to financial incentives and ongoing energy savings, to help new construction projects exceed Illinois Energy Conservation Code requirements.

New developments and major renovations of at least 5,000 square feet are eligible. Be sure to involve the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program team as soon as possible—the earlier we are engaged in the design process, the higher the incentive values and the greater the long-term savings!

1. Schedule an Assessment

Call 1-855-433-2700 or fill out the Online Form to request a Facility Assessment. A ComEd energy engineer will assess your facility and equipment for potential electrical savings during a two-hour site walkthrough.

2. Receive Recommendations

Within a month, you will receive a high-level summary recommending energy-saving changes and upgrades that can improve the energy efficiency of your business.

3. Make Improvements & Apply for Incentives

After you have decided which energy-saving improvements you want to make, consult the ComEd Energy Efficiency Service Provider Directory to find a contractor who can provide the products and services you need and help you apply for ComEd Energy Efficiency Program incentives, or you can purchase materials and use your own staff to install.