Summer Guide

Hit a Homerun with Summer Energy Savings

This summer, we’re pitching out energy savings tips to help you save on ComEd’s Hourly Pricing. Read our tips for lowering your energy costs this summer while you stay comfortable and root, root, root for the home team.

Shift and Save

Hit a savings grand slam by shifting energy use away from higher-priced hours. Summer prices are typically highest on weekdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s as simple as running your dishwasher, using air conditioning and doing laundry when prices are lower.

*Based on average prices for January 2018 through August 2024

Manage Your Capacity Charge

What is your Capacity Charge? Watch our video to find out and learn how your actions this summer can lower your Capacity Charge on future monthly bills.

All electric utility customers pay capacity charges. This supply cost is power for your use now and in the future, ensuring there will be enough capacity when you need it. Your Capacity Charge is based on your usage during the previous summer and electric market conditions and takes effect the following June. Reducing your energy use, especially of large appliances, during hours of high demand this summer will reduce the Capacity Charge on your bills starting June 2026.

Visit ComEd.com/Capacity to learn more about the Capacity Charge and how to make informed decisions for your household.

Subscribe to Hourly Pricing Alerts

Hourly Pricing Alerts can help you save by notifying you when electricity prices are trending higher or if next-day demand is expected to be high. Watch our video to learn how to set your alerts and discover even more tools and resources to help you save.

Subscribe to or update your alert preferences by logging in to your My Hourly Pricing Account. You can choose to receive alerts via email, text message or phone call. Real-time and day-ahead prices are available on the Live Prices webpage, the ComEd mobile app or by calling 888-202-7787.

Stay Cool While You Save!

Pre-cooling your home is your biggest saving opportunity. It’s simple and easy. Lower your thermostat during the night and early morning and set it to a higher temperature during the afternoon.

How to pre-cool your home: Lower your thermostat during the night and early morning to 69° – 72° when prices are lower. Then, in the afternoon, you can use less energy when it is in high demand by raising it to 82° – 85°. Later in the day, you can enjoy lower cooling costs by setting your thermostat to a comfortable temperature, between 75° – 78°.

Set your ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise in the summer to push air down for a cooling effect.

Remember to close your blinds during the day to keep the sun from heating your home. Open windows at night for cool, fresh air.

Run your window air conditioner during the night and early morning when prices are typically lower and turn it off when you’re not at home.

Close your blinds during the day so your home will retain the cool air. You’ll reduce the need to run your air conditioner when prices are typically higher.

Automate Energy Savings

Did you know you can take more control of your energy use when you connect your smart thermostat to If This Then That (IFTTT), a free web-based service? Watch our video to learn how.

Get started with IFTTT at ComEd.com/IFTTT

3 More Tips To Help You Save

Dishwashers and laundry machines use a lot of energy and release unwanted heat. To help you stay cool and keep costs low this summer, run your dishwasher at night and do laundry on the weekend.

Make your favorite summer recipe on the grill instead of using your stove or oven. You’ll use less energy and keep the excess heat out of your home.

Preventing air leaks is one of the best ways to keep warm air out and cool air in. Simple caulking and weather-stripping can help you save on heating and cooling costs.

More Ways to Manage Your Energy Bill

ComEd offers a variety of resources and rebates to help you save energy, reduce costs and maximize your household’s energy efficiency. You might also be interested in:

  • ComEd Go Electric: Looking for efficient heating and cooling options? Learn more about the benefits of electric heat pumps and how upgrading can help you save on your energy bills.
  • ComEd Efficient Choice: Time to upgrade an appliance? Compare appliances by price, features, energy efficiency score and customer reviews to find the best fit and see if a product qualifies for a rebate.
  • ComEd Energy Efficiency Rebates: Save money on energy-efficient appliances and home products with rebates and discounts on ENERGY STAR® smart thermostats, air purifiers, clothes washers and dryers and more.
  • ComEd’s Free Home Energy Assessment: Complete a free home assessment to discover opportunities to lower your energy use, including free products and personalized tips designed to save you money and energy.

We Root, Root, Root for You!

To discuss the best electricity rate option for your household or ways to manage your savings, please contact us at info@ComEdHourlyPricing.com or 888-202-7787.

Get personalized recommendations to help you control energy costs and manage your energy bills, including financial assistance programs, energy saving tips and more. Find the best solutions for you at ComEd.com/BillSupport

From all of us on ComEd’s Hourly Pricing Team, have a grand slam summer!