ComEd Reaches Milestone With Recycling of 32,000 Inefficient Appliances

CHICAGO, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- ComEd's Smart Ideas for Your Home(SM) program has reached a significant milestone with the successful recycling of 32,000 old energy-hogging refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners. The appliances recycled from customers represent the equivalent of removing about 6,289 cars from the road or planting 9,386 acres of trees.

"ComEd will pay you $25 for old running second refrigerators, and by getting rid of inefficient appliances customers can save anywhere from $50 to $150 a year on their electricity bill," said Val Jensen, vice president, Marketing and Environmental Programs, ComEd. "This achievement represents annual energy savings of about $7.7 million for our customers and with spring approaching now is a good time for ComEd to take that old fridge off your hands."

The residential appliance recycling program, part of ComEd's Smart Ideas(SM) energy efficiency programs, offers customers an opportunity to receive a $25 cash rebate to recycle their older, working, low-efficiency second appliances. Older appliances can use up to five times more electricity than newer models and taking less-efficient appliances off the electrical grid reduces electricity demand while benefiting the environment. The appliance recycling program is one of the many ways ComEd is providing customers with information and tools they need to make wiser choices that will lower their electric bills, save them money and reduce environmental impacts.

Earlier this year the State of Illinois launched the Illinois ENERGY STAR® Appliance Rebate Program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. This program provides incentives for Illinois consumers to replace older appliances with specific residential ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, water heaters and HVAC equipment. Point of purchase rebates on ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators, freezers and room air conditioners, among other appliances, will be available for items purchased from April 16–25, 2010. Consumers can call 877-782-7005 for more information about the Illinois Energy Star Appliance Rebate Program.

ComEd partners with JACO Environmental to ensure that old appliances are dismantled and recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. To date, the appliance recycling program has prevented 95 percent of recyclable materials in old refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners from entering landfills.

ComEd customers can schedule a pick-up for an old refrigerator or freezer by calling 1-800-806-2273 or signing-up online at comed.com.

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