It’s no secret that the cost of electricity has increased steadily across the nation, and customers in the ComEd zone are not immune. While some customers may be surprised when they open their bills this summer, ComEd wants to make sure customers understand what is impacting their bill, steps they can take to save energy and money and billing and assistance programs available.
To help customers understand their bill this summer, check out these Frequently Asked Questions below.
Why did my ComEd bill go up this summer?
ComEd announced earlier this year that bills would see an increase as a result of the 2024 PJM Capacity Auction that took effect in June. The average monthly residential customer bill in the ComEd service territory was expected to rise by approximately $10.60. However, each customer’s bill is unique and can vary based on factors such as energy use, the energy efficiency of their home or business or their energy supplier.
This season’s extreme heat, combined with higher supply charges resulting from the PJM auction, is having a dual effect on bills, causing residential electric bills to be higher. To keep cool amid the record-high temperatures, as seen this past June, customers are running their air conditioning (AC) and fans for longer periods.
Customers should also be aware that summer is “peak demand” season. Typically, customers can expect to see higher costs on the hottest days of the summer when all customers are running their ACs at the same time, causing peak energy demand.
What is PJM, and how is it responsible for increases on my bill?
PJM is a regional transmission operator that manages the wholesale electricity market across 13 states, including Illinois. They hold auctions each year to ensure that enough electric generation is available on any given day, including the hottest days.
Last year, PJM held its annual capacity auction to purchase electricity generation resources in advance of future demand. These auctions secure commitments from power generators to provide electricity to meet the region’s peak demand. The auction from last year resulted in an increase in energy capacity charges for customers throughout the PJM region, and these higher costs began impacting ComEd customers’ energy supply bills in June. The resulting costs from the auction last for one year and are updated based on the prior year’s auction.
What is the difference between “supply,” “delivery” and the other components on my bill?
Every ComEd bill has three components: “supply,” “delivery,” and “taxes and fees.”
While “delivery” is the cost of all the infrastructure involved in getting the electricity to your house, “supply” is the actual cost of the electricity you use – the section that is currently being most impacted by the capacity increases and higher energy usage, passed through to customers without markup.
“Taxes and fees” include state and local taxes and fees that fund our transition to a cleaner energy future like energy efficiency programs and renewable, zero emissions energy sources, like solar.
What can I do at home to lower my bill?
There are many actions that customers can take to lower their bill, even during periods of high heat.
- Clear area around cooling vents
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- Furniture, carpets, and other objects can block vents and prevent air from traveling, making your cooling system work harder and preventing rooms from cooling down quickly.
- Keep out the heat
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- Install window coverings, like blinds and curtains, and close them to prevent heat from getting in through your windows during the day.
- Operate your thermostat efficiently
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- Set your thermostat to as high a temperature as possible while still maintaining personal comfort. If you’re not home for more than 8 hours, consider turning up your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Overnight, consider turning up your thermostat 3 to 4 degrees while sleeping.
- Use fans and ventilation to cool your home
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- If you use air conditioning to cool your home, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees with no reduction in comfort.
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- Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.
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- During the warmer-temperature months, set your fan counterclockwise to push air towards the floor.
Can ComEd help me reduce my energy usage?
Yes, ComEd offers various programs to help customers reduce their energy use and costs.
- High Usage Alerts: Sign up for high usage alerts that alert you when your energy use is trending higher than normal so you can scale back and save.
- Peak Time Savings: Participate in this program to earn a credit on your electric bill for reducing energy use on days with Peak Time Savings Summer Hours.
- Hourly Pricing: This electric supply rate lets you pay for electricity at the hourly market price. Shift your energy use to lower-priced hours to help lower your monthly bills.
- Energy Efficiency: The ComEd Energy Efficiency program helps you manage your energy use and save money. Start with a free energy assessment and receive free and discounted energy-saving products.
What else is ComEd doing to help its customers?
Recently, ComEd launched a $10 million Customer Relief Fund to support customers struggling with rising energy costs. The fund, which closed to new applications after three weeks due to high demand, will deliver grants that appear as credits for qualifying customers starting in August. This fund will serve as a bridge for customers until the launch of ComEd’s Low-Income Discount (LID) program in January 2026. LID is a permanent program that will enable qualifying income-eligible customers to receive a percentage-based discount on their monthly electric bill determined by income level.
Until then, ComEd continues to support all customers facing economic hardship through a variety of payment and billing option programs, which last year alone helped connect 229,000 customers to $133 million in assistance options.
For personalized tips and recommendations on how to manage your energy bills, visit ComEd.com/BillSupport.
