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Lower Your Bills in High Heat With Energy Efficiency Tips From ComEd

Posted on: Tuesday, 23 June 2009, 18:50 CDT

CHICAGO, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite an unseasonably cool June, the hot weather has finally arrived in northern Illinois, and ComEd is recommending several energy efficiency tips to help its customers save money and stay comfortable as the temperature rises.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090623/CG37328)

For example, through ComEd's Smart Ideas(SM) Central Air Conditioning Cycling, homeowners with central air conditioning can reduce electricity use on the hottest days of summer and begin earning cash immediately. Customers can earn up to $40 in bill credits through September by allowing ComEd to send a wireless signal to a switch installed at the customer's home that turns the AC compressor off and on during times of peak demand. The AC fan stays on to circulate already cooled air to keep the home as comfortable as possible. AC cycling is only conducted on weekdays, excluding holidays, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

About 62,000 ComEd residential customers currently are participating in Central AC Cycling. In 2008, ComEd distributed approximately $2 million in bill credits. Based on past experience, customers can usually expect the compressor switch to be cycled up to four times during the summer. Customers can enroll by visiting www.ComEd.com/ACcycling or calling 888-806-2273.

ComEd also offers the following energy-saving tips to help customers stay comfortable, conserve energy, and manage their electricity bills during the current hot weather. Following these suggestions can help save up to 15 percent on home cooling costs.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Turn off all unnecessary lighting and appliances, which add heat to the home.
5. Keep doors to the outside, garage or attic firmly closed to keep cool air in and hot air out.
6. Use fans to evenly distribute cool air and reduce the air conditioner's "on" time.
7. Place window air conditioners on the north or shady side of the house to avoid overworking the unit in the hot daytime sun.
8. When shopping for appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, look for the ENERGY STAR label, and purchase the most affordable energy-efficient unit. Newer more energy-efficient models lower monthly operating costs.

For more energy-saving ideas, visit www.ComEd.com or call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661).

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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