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Reducing your electric bill is a great way to reduce our environmental impact!

6/22/2021

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Take advantage of these ComEd Projects to save money and reduce your emissions!

Rainstorms and snowmelt events can cause release of sewage from the combined sewers into the Chicago River system. If we minimize our water usage during these events, we can mitigate the sewage overflow. Similarly, electricity usage has times of increased air pollution. High pollution hours are also expensive. Electricity notifications can tell us when these dirty, expensive hours happen so we can alter our usage and reduce our pollution footprint. 

Here are three options available to ComEd customers to know about these hours:

The Hourly Pricing program helps us be mindful of electricity usage by showing the benefits of shifting our usage to different times. It keeps the dirtiest power plants offline and reduces pollution in our neighborhood. Hourly Pricing lets you pay a rate based on hourly market prices for electricity. You can manage your costs by running appliances like the dishwasher when the price of electricity is lower, such as nights and weekends. Customers typically save at least 15% on their bill. The program is administered by Elevate Energy and ComEd. To learn more and sign up, visit ComEd's Hourly Pricing Program. New participants receive $20 if using a Referral Code. If this referral code doesn’t work, please email Dave Brost (dave.m.brost@gmail.com) for a new code.

The Peak Time Savings program sends you notifications when electricity usage is the dirtiest and most expensive. These notifications typically occur in the afternoon between the hours of 11am to 7 pm, usually on 3 to 6 days in the summer. When you participate, ComEd will credit your monthly bill for reducing your energy use during Peak Time Savings Hours. A credit will appear as actual dollars off the total amount due on your next energy bill or the following bill. There is no penalty for not participating. To learn more and sign up, visit Peak Time Savings.

The Central AC Cycling program reduces central air conditioning electricity usage when it is dirtiest and most expensive. This program is available to customers who own their own home and have central air conditioning. Participants can earn up to $40 in bill credits distributed between May and October. ComEd will install a Direct Load Switch on the side of your home or directly on the air conditioner's compressor panel, which allows ComEd to turn the compressor off, so it safely uses less energy during a cycling event. Your air conditioner’s fan may remain on to circulate cool air to keep your home comfortable. To learn more and sign up, visit Central AC Cycling. 

Customers who participate in Hourly Pricing can additionally participate in Peak Time Savings or Central AC Cycling; customers cannot participate in both Peak Time Savings and Central AC Cycling. 

Join the Facebook discussion group Hourly Pricing to learn more and contact Dave Brost (david.brost3@gmail.com) if you have any further questions. Dave is a co-founder of the energy solutions company qilo. Follow qilo for updates on the development of an app that will optimize the use of Hourly Pricing. 

To take action on energy legislation in Illinois, visit ilenviro.org/iec-action-alerts/ and The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition at ilcleanjobs.org/.

To learn and join the campaign to Democratize ComEd, visit https://demcomed.org/. With the democratization and municipalization of ComEd, an elected utility board could ensure programs such as these are more accessible, equitable, and meaningful, as well as, move to a decarbonized future. 

Citizens Utility Board has an updated (and free) Guide to Home Savings. It’s  filled with tips on how to cut your energy and telecom costs at home.   

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Donations are welcome. Here are a few of our activities & projects:
  • Town Hall Meetings with Presentations on Current Topics 
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  • Energy efficiency assistance; ​
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  • ​Renewable Energy projects
  • Earth Day & Arbor Day Events 
  • Collaboration with local block clubs, schools & religious groups  
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