ComEd Prepared for High Temperatures This Week

CHICAGO, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As high temperatures descend upon northern Illinois this week, ComEd has taken steps to respond to any heat-related issues.

ComEd's Emergency Operations Center was activated today. The company has developed plans to respond to the heat that include increased staffing throughout the week – including more than 300 frontline crews and additional call center representatives.  The ComEd electric system is performing well and the company will continue to monitor conditions around the clock.

As always, ComEd will remain in contact with area public officials should any potential problems arise. If customers experience an outage or have any questions about their ComEd service, they are urged to call 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661).  Spanish speaking customers can call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).  Additionally, customers requiring cooler accommodations can locate their nearest cooling center here.

Starting June 1, ComEd customers' bills began reflecting a slight decrease – an average of approximately $1.30 per month – in residential electricity rates.  The lower bills stem from a decrease of the cost of wholesale power.

Despite lower electric rates, the high heat this week offers customers a prime opportunity to reduce energy usage.  Rather than simply cranking up the air conditioning to beat the heat, ComEd Energy Doctor Tim Melloch recommends customers take simple steps that can reduce energy usage and potentially help save on electric bills.

• Keep thermostats at a constant, comfortable level (75 to 78 degrees) when at home. Lowering the thermostat setting below the desired temperature will not cool the home faster.
• To reduce heat and moisture during the warmest part of the day, run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or evening hours when it's generally cooler outside. Also, use a microwave to cook, or barbecue outside, if possible.
• Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply drawing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat gain to your home. Awnings are even better, and can reduce heat gain by up to 75 percent. Window coatings and window film can reflect as much as 80 percent of direct rays from the sun.
• Keep doors to the outside, garage or attic firmly closed to keep cool air in and hot air out.
• Use fans to evenly distribute cool air and reduce the air conditioner's "on" time.
• Place window air conditioners on the north or shady side of the house to avoid overworking the unit in the hot daytime sun.

Melloch also suggests turning off all unnecessary lighting, appliances and electronic devices to lessen heat in the home and save electricity.

Those in the market for a new air conditioner should look for ENERGY STAR®-qualified A/C units, which will be at least 10 percent more efficient than conventional models. It's a buying decision that can translate into savings of $20 to $95 per year and also reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

Customers can further reduce their energy consumption year round and lower their bills by applying other energy saving ideas from ComEd's Smart Ideas for Your Home, a portfolio of easy to apply energy-efficient approaches. Visit www.ComEd.com/SmartIdeas.

Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), one of the nation's largest electric utilities with approximately 5.4 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population.

SOURCE ComEd