Frequently Asked Questions

  • Hourly Pricing Open or Close

    • What is ComEd's Hourly Pricing?

      ComEd’s Hourly Pricing is an electric supply rate that lets you pay for electricity at the hourly market price.

      Unlike ComEd’s default fixed-price rate, hourly prices fluctuate throughout the day and night. So when you participate in Hourly Pricing, you can save money on your electric supply costs by shifting some of your energy use to times when the price of electricity is lower.

    • How much can I save?

      Hourly Pricing participants have saved an average of 19% on their electric supply costs compared with what they would have paid on ComEd’s default fixed-price rate.*

      *Savings percentage based on the electric supply section of participants’ energy bills from 2007 to 2026. Savings cannot be guaranteed. Individual bills and savings vary month-to-month based on weather, market conditions and individual energy usage habits. The more you can shift energy usage to lower-priced hours, the more you could save with Hourly Pricing.

    • Is Hourly Pricing right for me?

      You may be a good fit for Hourly Pricing if you can shift energy use to lower-priced hours, when prices are lower than the default fixed-price rate. Visit ComEd My Rates Comparison and see if Hourly Pricing would work for you. 

    • How will I know when prices will be high?

      You can sign up to receive Hourly Pricing Alerts, which will let you know when prices could be high. Alerts can be sent via text message, email or automated phone call.

      An alert that tells you to save energy immediately is sent when the real-time market price of electricity is trending high. When the 5-minute price is at or above 14 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for 30 consecutive minutes, an alert will be triggered and you will be notified based on the alert method you chose.

      An alert that tells you to reduce your energy use tomorrow during specific hours can help reduce the Capacity Charge on your future bills. This is different from an alert caused by high prices.

      Real-time prices and day-ahead prices (after 5 p.m. CT) are available on the Prices page or by calling 888-202-7787.

    • Are there price caps or other energy price protections in place?

      Yes. Participants pay for electricity at the hourly market price. However, the market operator, PJM, caps the hourly energy price for electricity at a maximum of $3.70/kWh. But please keep in mind the following important points:

      • In the long run, most ComEd customers save on Hourly Pricing compared to ComEd’s default fixed-price rate. Hourly Pricing has saved participants $60 million* since its launch in 2007.
      • Hourly Pricing’s energy supply costs have never reached $3.70/kWh and have only exceeded $1.00/kWh for less than 0.1% of hours, based on all historical hourly prices.**

      *Participant savings are based on results from January 2007 to January 2026.
      **Based on an analysis conducted by ComEd’s Hourly Pricing Administrator using historical Hourly Pricing data since 2007.

    • Is it true I’ll need a new meter to enroll in Hourly Pricing?

      Enrollment in Hourly Pricing requires an electric meter, such as a ComEd smart meter, capable of measuring and recording electric usage at hourly intervals. Other than your current monthly Standard Metering charge, there is no additional monthly meter lease fee for this hourly recording feature of the smart meter. If you have more than one meter at your premises, then you are currently subject to a regular monthly meter lease fee and that will not change. It is likely that each meter associated with your ComEd account is a smart meter.

    • How can I take advantage of the difference between Hourly Pricing and the default fixed-price rate?

      If you shift the use of large appliances like your air conditioner, laundry machines and dishwasher to lower-priced hours – like nights and weekends – it could make a difference on your energy bill.

    • How long must I remain on Hourly Pricing? Is there a fee?

      Hourly Pricing participants may request to leave Hourly Pricing at any time. However, they may not rejoin the rate for a period of 12 months following the opt-out. There is no fee to participate in Hourly Pricing.

    • How do I opt out of Hourly Pricing?

      If you decide Hourly Pricing is not the best fit for your household and would like to return to ComEd’s default fixed-price rate, please fill out the opt-out form on the “My Settings” page of the My Hourly Pricing Account, or contact us at info@ComEdHourlyPricing.com or call 888-202-7787.

      Participants may request to leave Hourly Pricing at any time. Please note that all rate changes occur with a new billing cycle and the opt-out process may take one to three billing cycles. Once the opt-out is completed, participants may not rejoin the rate for 12 months.

    • Are there any environmental benefits from participating in ComEd's Hourly Pricing?

      Yes, Hourly Pricing has made a positive impact on the environment. Managing your energy use more efficiently can lead to cleaner air and a healthier environment for future generations. Hourly Pricing participants develop a higher awareness of their energy usage and, as a result, tend to use less energy overall.

      Since 2007, participants have reduced the release of emissions that contribute to climate change.

    • How do I enroll in Hourly Pricing?

      There are two ways to enroll:

    • What is the Hourly Pricing Refer-a-Friend program?

      The Hourly Pricing Refer-a-Friend program helps you share the savings. If you’re a current participant, tell your friends and family to sign up for Hourly Pricing, and you’ll receive a $20 gift card for each person who becomes a participant.

      Don’t miss out on your rewards! Anyone you refer must select “Referral” and type in your full name when enrolling online. If enrolling by phone, make sure they mention your name so we know you referred them. You may not receive the Refer-a-Friend bonus if your name is not accurately provided.

      Before participating, please review the program Terms and Conditions. Please note any employees, agents or contractors of Exelon Corporation, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliate companies, as well as those related to or living with the aforementioned, are ineligible to participate in the Refer-a-Friend program. If you have any questions, please contact us at 888-202-7787.

      What are you waiting for? Now you can be rewarded for helping your friends and family save money, use energy more wisely and help the environment.

    • Who can participate in the Refer-a-Friend program?

      All active participants in ComEd’s Hourly Pricing can participate in the Refer-a-Friend program. In order to receive your referral reward, you must be an active Hourly Pricing participant.

      Employees and agents of Exelon Corporation, or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, agencies and contractors, and members of such employees’ and agents’ immediate families (spouse, life partner, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses) and individuals living in the same household with such employees or agents are not eligible to participate in the Hourly Pricing Refer a Friend program.

      For more details, please review the program Terms and Conditions. If you have any questions, please contact us at 888-202-7787.

    • How do I refer friends and family members to Hourly Pricing?

      It’s easy to refer others to Hourly Pricing! All they need to do is mention your name when enrolling. Anyone you refer must select “Referral” and type in your full name when enrolling online. If enrolling by phone, make sure they mention your name so we know you referred them. You may not receive the Refer-a-Friend bonus if your name is not accurately provided.

      Plus, the My Rewards page in your My Hourly Pricing Account, which is separate from your ComEd My Account, makes it easy to refer friends and family to Hourly Pricing. Log in to your account and click “My Rewards” at the top of the page. There you can spread the word about Hourly Pricing by email, Facebook and X.

    • How are hourly prices determined?

      ComEd does not set hourly market prices for the energy you consume. ComEd delivers energy to you at the current market price, determined by real-time market conditions. Hourly prices typically follow predictable patterns, and most participants see long-term savings.

    • What is ComEd's Central AC Cycling?

      ComEd’s Central Air Conditioning (AC) Cycling is a demand response program for central air conditioners that allows homeowners to earn credits on their bill. 

      Once you enroll, ComEd will install a special switch on your central air conditioning unit that allows us to cycle your air conditioner’s compressor off and on during hot summer days when demand for energy is the highest. In return, you will receive a credit on your June through September ComEd bills. 

      Visit ComEd.com/ACCycling or call 800-986-0070 to learn more about Central AC Cycling and how much you could earn. 

  • Billing FAQs Open or Close

    • What are the charges that appear on my Hourly Pricing bill?

      Some line items and charges will be the same for Hourly Pricing participants and ComEd’s default fixed-price rate customers. Some line items will be different or will be calculated based on different rates. Below, you will find more information about the line items on your bill and how the charges for Hourly Pricing participants differ from the charges for customers on the default fixed-price rate. All charges on ComEd bills are based on tariffs and riders approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission.

      ComEd’s full rate book is available online at ComEd.com/Rates and should be considered the official record for these items. The core components of all bills are the same. They include Electricity Supply Charges, Delivery Service Charges, and Taxes and Fees. These components are broken into the following line items on participants’ bills. Most line items appear on both Hourly Pricing bills and default fixed-price rate bills. Those that appear only on Hourly Pricing bills or are calculated differently for Hourly Pricing participants are indicated below.

      A. Electricity Supply Services cover the actual supply of electricity (either ComEd’s default fixed-price rate BES Electricity Supply Charges or the special combined hourly rate of Rate BESH and Rider RRTP Electricity Supply Charges).

      • Electricity Supply Charge (calculated differently for Hourly Pricing)
      • Transmission Services Charge (calculated differently for Hourly Pricing)
      • Capacity Charge (this is a separate line item for those participating in Hourly Pricing; the Capacity Charge is already included in the default fixed-price rate Electricity Supply Charge)
      • Purchased Electricity Adjustment (calculated differently for Hourly Pricing)
      • Miscellaneous Procurement Component Charge (separate Hourly Pricing line item; costs included in the default fixed-price rate Electricity Supply Charge)

       

      B. Delivery Services – ComEd covers billing and delivering the electricity supply to your home via distribution lines.

      • Customer Charge (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)
      • Standard Metering Charge (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)
      • Distribution Facilities Charge (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)
      • IL Electricity Distribution Charge (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)

       

      C. Taxes and Fees

      • Environmental Cost Recovery Adjustment (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)
      • Energy Efficiency Programs (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)
      • Franchise Costs (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)
      • Taxes (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)
      • Zero Emission Standard (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)
      • Renewable Portfolio Standard (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)
      • Energy Transition Assistance Charge (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)  
      • Carbon-Free Resource Adjustment (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing) 
      • Low Income Discount Recovery (same for the default fixed-price rate and Hourly Pricing)
    • How does my Hourly Pricing bill differ from a default fixed-price rate bill?

      Most line items are the same for all residential customers, and most are charged at the same rate:

      • All standard delivery service related charges are the same.
      • Taxes and Fees will use the same rates for both Hourly Pricing participants and default fixed-price rate customers.

       

      Some line items and charges on your Hourly Pricing bill will differ from the default fixed-price rate:

      • Under supply related charges, all customers will have an Electricity Supply Charge, a Transmission Services Charge and a Purchased Electricity Adjustment. However, the rates for these line items are different for Hourly Pricing and default fixed-price rate customers.
      • Hourly Pricing bills include separate line items for the Electricity Supply Charge, the Capacity Charge and the Miscellaneous Procurement Component Charge. Default fixed-price rate bills include the costs for these three items in a single line item (listed as Electricity Supply Charge).
    • What are the differences in how charges are calculated under ComEd's Hourly Pricing compared to ComEd’s default fixed-price rate?

      A. The Electricity Supply Charge

      ComEd’s default fixed-price rate Electricity Supply Charge is based on the costs of procuring energy, which are incurred pursuant to the Illinois Commerce Commission-approved procurement plan. This charge includes the cost for the electric energy, capacity and other miscellaneous services and procurement costs. All of these components are purchased together and combined into one Electricity Supply Charge for default fixed-price rate customers.

      The Hourly Pricing Electricity Supply Charge is based on real-time hourly prices, but it does not include capacity costs or miscellaneous costs. Therefore, Hourly Pricing participants have separate line items for Capacity Charge and Miscellaneous Procurement Component Charge.

      B. Transmission Services Charge and Purchased Electricity Adjustment

      The Transmission Services Charge is different for Hourly Pricing participants than it is for customers on the default fixed-price rate because the supply for Hourly Pricing participants is procured differently (directly through PJM rather than through the Illinois procurement processes). For a similar reason, Hourly Pricing participants’ Purchased Electricity Adjustment (PEA) charge or credit is different from the charge or credit for default fixed-price rate customers. ComEd does not mark up or profit from these charges. They are simply a pass-through of costs incurred by ComEd.

    • Why do I pay a different Transmission Services Charge with ComEd's Hourly Pricing?

      Transmission Services Charge under ComEd’s default fixed-price rate

      ComEd purchases transmission services for all default fixed-price rate customers in regional markets regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This charge is then apportioned to different customer groups on the default fixed-price rate, resulting in different Transmission Services Charge rates for residential, commercial and industrial customers.

      Transmission Services Charge with ComEd’s Hourly Pricing

      ComEd purchases transmission services for all hourly rate customers in regional markets regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), so the same Transmission Services Charge rate is charged to all hourly customers (residential, commercial and industrial).

    • What is the Purchased Electricity Adjustment?

      The Purchased Electricity Adjustment (PEA) acts as the balancing mechanism to ensure ComEd’s supply charges exactly match supply costs over time. This balance is reviewed monthly, and the charge rate is adjusted accordingly.

      The PEA can be a charge or a credit that addresses the difference, if any, between the actual amount of money collected from ComEd’s customers for electricity supplied and the cost incurred to supply that electricity.

      The supply costs are tracked (and the PEA is adjusted) separately for different customer groups. As a result, the PEA may differ between Hourly Pricing participants and customers on the default fixed-price rate.

      Please see ComEd’s Entire Schedule of Rates for Electric Service sheets No. 37-39 for more information related to the PEA Factor.

    • Why do I still have to pay ComEd’s Standard Metering Charges?

      The delivery services that ComEd provides include standard metering charges for all the different customer classes that ComEd supplies. Thus, there is a Standard Metering charge for all ComEd residential customers, and this includes one smart meter per account.   

      Enrollment in Hourly Pricing requires an electric meter capable of measuring and recording electric usage in hourly intervals. Other than your current monthly Standard Metering charge, there is no additional monthly meter lease fee for this hourly recording feature of the smart meter. If you have more than one meter at your premises, then you are currently subject to a regular monthly meter lease fee and that will not change. Each meter associated with your ComEd account must be a smart meter with the hourly recording feature in order to participate in Hourly Pricing.

    • What is the Capacity Charge?

      The Capacity Charge covers ComEd’s costs to reserve enough electricity to meet demand at all times, including peak hours. Capacity Charges allow ComEd to reserve generating capacity in advance, ensuring that enough electricity will be available when it is needed. All electricity suppliers are required to reserve capacity to cover their customers’ Capacity Obligation. The Capacity Obligation represents your expected level of hourly usage in the afternoon on a hot summer day when demand is the highest.

      For default fixed-price rate customers, capacity costs are included in the Electricity Supply Charge. For Hourly Pricing participants, the Electricity Supply Charge does not include these capacity costs. Instead ComEd lists this charge as a separate line item on Hourly Pricing bills (labeled as the Capacity Charge). As the market price of capacity fluctuates, both default fixed-price rate customers and Hourly Pricing participants will see adjustments to their rate. The Capacity Charge item on your bill is adjusted every year in June. ComEd does not profit from the Capacity Charge. Instead, ComEd simply passes through capacity costs to its customers without mark up.

      Check out these two videos to learn more about your Capacity Charge and how you can save even more when you reduce it.

       

    • How is the Capacity Charge calculated?

      There are two components to this charge, your Capacity Obligation and the Capacity Charge Rate. Multiplied together, they make up the Capacity Charge item on your bill. The method used to calculate your individual Capacity Charge depends on when your Hourly Pricing meter was first installed.

      Capacity Obligation

      If you were enrolled in Hourly Pricing during the previous summer, your Capacity Obligation starting in June is calculated based on your individual hourly electric usage data from the previous summer. In this case, ComEd calculates your highest electricity demand (adjusted for Transmission and Distribution losses) coincident with the five hours of the summer when the overall PJM System demand was highest (PJM Coincident Demand) (this has historically occurred between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays) and the five hours of the summer when ComEd’s System demand was highest (ComEd Coincident Demand). These two sets of five coincident demands are averaged and adjusted for certain PJM factors to determine your contribution to the system load, creating your Capacity Obligation.

      Your Capacity Obligation is then used to calculate your individual Capacity Charge. So, the higher or lower your demand was during those 10 peak hours (coincident with the five PJM System peak hours and the five ComEd System peak hours) of last summer, the higher or lower your Capacity Charge will be this year beginning with your June billing period.

      Similarly, if you were not enrolled in Hourly Pricing, your Capacity Obligation is based on your individual hourly electric usage data from the previous summer, as long as the data can be validated.

      If your energy usage data can’t be validated, your Capacity Obligation starting in June is based on the class average profile adjusted for your individual electric usage data from that previous summer. (ComEd’s four residential customer classes are: Single Family Non-Electric Space Heating, Single Family Electric Space Heating, Multi-Family Non-Electric Space Heating and Multi-Family Electric Space Heating).

      Capacity Charge Rate
      The Capacity Charge Rate is updated each June based on the cost of capacity in the PJM wholesale market.

    • How can I reduce my Capacity Charge in the future?

      Reducing your energy use during peak hours (which have historically occurred between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the hottest weekdays of the summer) could lower your Capacity Charge on future bills.

      In general, the price of electricity goes up when demand is high, so the peak system load is likely to correspond with higher real-time prices. This means that if you can reduce your energy usage when prices are high, you may also reduce your demand during peak system load. This in turn may result in a lower Capacity Obligation, and thus, a lower Capacity Charge in the future.

    • What is the Miscellaneous Procurement Component Charge?

      The Miscellaneous Procurement Component Charge is a line item for Hourly Pricing participants only. It is itemized on your bill to make it easier to compare the total supply costs on Hourly Pricing to those on the default fixed-price rate. This charge recovers the costs that ComEd incurs related to procuring electric power and energy directly from PJM-administered markets for Hourly Pricing participants that are not recovered through the application of the Capacity Charge, the Electricity Supply Charge and the Transmission Charge. Similar costs for customers on the default fixed-price rate are included in their Electricity Supply Charge.

    • What is the IL Electricity Distribution Charge?

      The IL Electricity Distribution Charge is the same for both Hourly Pricing participants and customers on the default fixed-price rate. This charge recovers the Illinois Electricity Distribution Tax and uncollectible costs associated with the application of that tax. This is not a new charge. It appears as a separate line item in the Delivery Services section of the bill.

    • What is the Customer Charge?

      The Customer Charge is calculated the same way for both Hourly Pricing participants and customers on the default fixed-price rate. The Customer Charge recovers costs such as the standard service connection, customer service operations and billing. The Customer Charge also includes charges from Rider RCA for state funds for renewable energy resources, coal technology development, low-income energy assistance and Hourly Pricing cost recovery charges. This is a $0.06 monthly charge that all residential retail customers (including those on Hourly Pricing) are billed. This charge is subject to change as allowed by the Illinois Public Utilities Act.

    • What is the Renewable Portfolio Standard?

      This charge helps support the procurement of renewable energy credits (RECs) to meet requirements set forth in the Illinois Power Agency Act. The Renewable Portfolio Standard rate is 0.516 cents per kWh for all ComEd Retail customers. These rates are currently applicable through August 2026. For more information on the Renewable Portfolio Standard, visit Renewable Energy 101.

    • What is the Zero Emission Standard?

      This line item supports zero-carbon energy supplied to Illinois and is the same rate for all residential customers.

    • What is the Energy Efficiency Programs charge?

      The Energy Efficiency Programs charge is the same for all residential customers. This charge recovers costs related to ComEd’s energy efficiency and demand response plans, which were approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission. This includes programs that are developed, implemented or administered by or for ComEd or the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). ComEd does not mark up or profit from these charges.

    • What if I am a Net Metering customer?

      If you are currently participating in ComEd’s Net Metering program, you could maximize your excess energy generation credit with Hourly Pricing. On Hourly Pricing, net metering credits are calculated as a dollar value at the time of generation and at the hourly market price. If credits exceed the cost of your bill, excess credits are applied to the following billing cycle.

      Learn how you could maximize your energy savings with Net Metering and Hourly Pricing by visiting our Solar Generation page.

      For more information on your current credits or the Net Metering program in general, call 800‑825-5436 or visit ComEd Net Metering.

      Community solar customers can also enroll in Hourly Pricing! Please contact us for more information.

    • What if I use electricity to heat my home?

      Customers who heat their homes with electricity (via an air source heat pump, for example) tend to have higher energy usage in the fall, winter and spring. Historically, hourly energy prices tend to be lower during the colder months and overnight, meaning you could save money when heating your home on Hourly Pricing.

      Learn how you could create a home full of savings with Hourly Pricing by visiting our Electric Heating page.

  • Price Alerts / Notifications Open or Close

    • How and when will I know the best times to save energy?

      Hourly Pricing Alerts will tell you to either reduce now or tomorrow. Alerts are sent when electricity prices are trending high or when energy is expected to be in high demand the following day. No matter when an alert tells you to reduce, just take the same actions you normally would, like delaying the start of major appliances or raising your air conditioner thermostat by a few degrees.

      You can choose to receive alerts via text message, email or automated phone call. To make changes to your alert communication preferences, sign in to your My Hourly Pricing Account or email us at info@ComEdHourlyPricing.com.

      Check out the video below to learn how Hourly Pricing Alerts can help you save now and in the future.

    • How do Hourly Pricing Alerts work?

      An alert that tells you to save energy immediately is sent when the real-time market price of electricity is trending high. When the 5-minute price is at or above 14 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for 30 consecutive minutes, an alert will be triggered, and you will be notified based on the preferences you set.

      An alert that tells you to reduce your electricity use tomorrow during specific hours can help reduce the Capacity Charge on your future electricity bills. This is different from an alert triggered by high prices, but the idea is the same: reduce to save.

      You can learn more or change your alert communication options in your My Hourly Pricing Account or you can email us at info@ComEdHourlyPricing.com.