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ComEd Marks National Weatherization Day By Announcing About $4 Million in Home Energy Makeovers for Customers in Need

Posted on: Tuesday, 30 October 2007, 15:00 CDT

CHICAGO, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 200 seniors at a Downers Grove, Ill., apartment complex will see their electric bills decline after ComEd completes a large energy makeover which the utility begins today, which also happens to be National Weatherization Day.

While it is probably one of the lesser-known observances, National Weatherization Day is a day senior residents of the Oak Tree Apartments probably will never forget.

The makeover of 164-units will include new insulation, caulking, weather- stripping, energy-efficient lighting, Energy Star refrigerators, and other energy-efficiency measures.

"We are helping seniors and customers in need to conserve energy and save money on their bills by weatherizing their homes," said Sharon Hillman, ComEd vice president of marketing and environmental programs. "These energy makeovers, like any weatherization program, also benefit the environment by reducing the demand for electricity from power plants with carbon emissions."

The utility will spend about $4 million as part of ComEd's rate relief and assistance initiative to provide energy makeovers to customers who heat with electricity and are approved through the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP). IHWAP is a state and federally funded energy assistance program run by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). Owners of single-family homes, apartments and condominiums who heat with electricity and believe they may be eligible are encouraged to contact the Keep Warm Illinois toll-free hotline at 1-877-411-WARM (9276) for more information about weatherization assistance. There are still funds available for eligible customers.

Owners of the Oak Tree Tower Apartments were among the first to respond to an invitation to apply for weatherization assistance. ComEd sent letters to more than 4,000 customers who heat with electricity to inform them about HFS's weatherization assistance program.

This weatherization grant program is just the tip of the iceberg for ComEd's energy efficiency programs. As part of the Illinois rate settlement reached earlier this year, ComEd will file an extensive energy efficiency plan in November with a goal to reduce the amount of energy used by Illinois customers over several years. By 2011, Illinois could be second in the nation in annual energy efficiency spending and electricity saved.

Now is a good time to begin weatherizing your home for the winter to reduce energy use and costs. The following tips can help customers stay warm and manage their energy costs this winter:

-- Inspect caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doors, and replace caulking as necessary to reduce drafts in the home that allow cold air to enter and warm air to escape. -- Make sure water pipes, water heaters and exterior walls are well insulated. Insulation is a cost-effective way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. -- Change the heating filter prior to the heating season and check its condition monthly.

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

Commonwealth Edison Company

CONTACT: John Dewey of ComEd Media Relations, +1-312-394-3500

Source: PRNewswire

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