ComEd Announces Rate Increase

The rate increase will go into effect on June 1

Orland Park, IL (May 31, 2022) – ComEd has announced a rate increase that will go into effect on June 1, 2022. ComEd customers can expect to see the impact of the rate increase on their July billing statements.

“We want to make sure Orland Park residents and businesses are aware of the increase prior to receiving their bills from ComEd in July featuring the higher rates,” said Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. “Those on fixed incomes can take advantage of payment assistance options available on the ComEd website or by phone.”

ComEd annualized electric rates for the June 2022 to May 2023 period compared to the June 2021 to May 2022 period:

“This represents a 25% across the board increase in rates,” said David Hoover, Executive Director of the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative. “Because we generate more power with natural gas than any other commodity, electric rates are highly correlated to natural gas pricing. The Ukraine situation has heightened the demand for natural gas in the US. Natural Gas pricing is currently at a 14 year high.”

“Additionally, oil and gas producers in the US have not increased production in line with the jump in demand. Hence, natural gas and electric pricing are much higher than a year ago,” explained Hoover.

In order to combat the increased rates and alleviate some of the costs, customers are encouraged to reduce energy consumption. Below are a few tips from ComEd that could be used in order to reduce energy use:

Change your thermostat settings

78°F is the perfect thermostat setting for saving money this summer and 68°F is ideal for your home every winter. If you want to save even more, increase or decrease the temperature setting by 7-10°F when leaving your home unoccupied for 8 or more hours depending on the season.

Switch your ceiling fan's direction

Remember that ceiling fans should run clockwise in the winter and counterclockwise in the summer. Switching the direction of your fan each season will help keep you cool in the summer and reduce A/C costs, while better circulating warm air in the winter.

Turn off your computer at night

Turning off your computer at night could save you up to 13% in energy costs, depending on your use and power management settings. Save even more by plugging your computer, monitor, and printer into one power strip and turning the strip off when you go to bed.

Unplug electronics when they're not in use

Many electronic devices continue to draw power even when they are turned off. By unplugging devices and chargers when they are not in use, you can avoid paying for this extra energy.

Set your computer to "sleep mode" when not in use

Running your computer and monitor constantly throughout the year wastes a significant amount of electricity. However, a computer idling in "sleep" mode uses less than half the energy of an active computer.

Spotlight your work spaces

Overhead bulbs can brighten a space, but often use more light than you really need. Using a kitchen counter light while preparing dinner—or a small lamp to read a book—brings better light to the task at hand and saves energy.

Turn off lights when you leave the room

In an average home, lighting accounts for nearly 9% of electricity costs. Turning lights off when you're not in the room is a simple way for you to make a dent in your utility bill.

Set your refrigerator's temperature to 38°F

In most households, the refrigerator is the one thing that is always on—24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In the average home, the refrigerator consumes the most energy of all kitchen appliances. Make sure your refrigerator is not too cold in order to minimize the annual costs of running the appliance.

Run full dishwasher loads

Your dishwasher uses a great deal of energy, especially for heating water. There are several steps you can take starting today—with no investment—to reduce your bills associated with dishwashing. Visit smarterhouse.org/dishwashing/energy-saving-tips for a list of energy saving tips for dishwasher use.

Clear area around heating and cooling vents

Furniture, carpets, and other objects can block vents and prevent heated or cooled air from traveling. This blockage makes your heating or cooling system work harder and prevents rooms from warming up or cooling down quickly.

Those seeking financial assistance can access resources at Payment Assistance | ComEd - An Exelon Company. For more information about your account, please visit comed.com or call 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661).

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