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ComEd's Energy Efficiency Programs Saved Customers More Than $20 Million in Energy Costs After First Year

Posted on: Tuesday, 16 June 2009, 09:34 CDT

CHICAGO, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- With almost 3 million discounted compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs sold and close to 12,000 appliances recycled, ComEd's Smart Ideas(SM) energy efficiency programs have surpassed first-year targets, empowering residential and business customers to better manage their energy usage and save money on their bills.

"ComEd customers are saving more than $20 million in annual energy costs from participating in our energy efficiency programs in just the first year," said Val R. Jensen, vice president, Marketing and Environmental Programs, ComEd. "Given the challenging economic climate, these savings couldn't come at a better time for our customers and for the Chicagoland economy. We're very encouraged by the overwhelming response we've had in this first year."

ComEd's business customers are helping to drive this high demand -- close to 5,300 applications were downloaded on June 1 at the start of the second program year. ComEd's incentives are supporting northern Illinois companies in implementing a variety of energy efficiency measures, such as environmentally friendly lighting, motors, HVAC equipment and chillers.

Through its energy efficiency incentives for both residential and business customers, ComEd exceeded its first program year energy reduction goals, achieving more than 200 GWh of energy savings - equivalent to the energy required to power close to 20,000 homes for one year. Those savings will produce a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

By the Numbers for Residential Customers

• Sold nearly 3 million discounted CFL bulbs and 17,500 fixtures at participating retail stores saving more than 90,000 MWh of electricity.
• Recycled close to 12,000 appliances saving more than 8,500 MWh of electricity.
• Upgraded more than 3,500 apartments and all-electric, multi-family units with CFLs, water-saving faucet and shower aerators, water heater insulating jackets, and water pipe insulation sleeves, saving more than 2,500 MWh of electricity.
• Enrolled more than 10,000 new customers in Central Air Conditioning Cycling, giving ComEd the potential to reduce load by nearly 15 MW during peak periods.

By the Numbers for Business Customers

• Supported $41.3 million in energy efficiency projects with approximately $7.6 million in incentives saving more than 98,000 MWh of electricity annually.
• Dispensed nearly $16,000 in incentives on average per customer.
• Reserved funding for year one within first four months; received more than 700 applications.

Within a few years, these programs will place ComEd among the top tier of utilities in the nation in terms of electricity savings achieved through energy efficiency, positioning Illinois as a national leader.

As of June 1, the second year is underway for ComEd's Smart Ideas programs with nearly $80 million in funding -- almost double the first program year -- and additional incentives offered. Customers in single-family all-electric homes can now participate in an energy efficiency tune-up. Residential customers with central air conditioning also may obtain a system tune-up or receive new installation services from ComEd-trained independent participating contractors.

Through its numerous environmental initiatives, ComEd supports Exelon 2020, a comprehensive strategy by Exelon, ComEd's parent company, to reduce, offset, or displace more than 15 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year among its family of companies and customers. For additional information on ComEd's Smart Ideas incentives visit www.ComEd.com or call 1-888-806-2273.

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

Source: PR Newswire

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