ComEd Customers Save $13B Through Energy Efficiency Program
As energy prices continue to rise, ComEd has reported that its Energy Efficiency Program has helped customers across northern Illinois save a total of $13 billion on electricity costs. The program, widely recognized as one of the largest of its kind in the United States, provides tools, incentives, and services designed to help households and businesses reduce energy use, lower monthly bills, and decrease environmental impact.
Launched in 2008, the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program has become a long-term initiative focused on improving how customers consume electricity. Over the years, participating customers have also received more than $2.5 billion in financial incentives. These incentives help reduce the upfront cost of installing energy-efficient equipment and making home or business upgrades, such as improved insulation, smart thermostats, energy-efficient lighting, and advanced HVAC systems.
According to ComEd, rising energy costs continue to affect millions of customers in northern Illinois. Speaking on the achievement, Ajit Apte, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations at ComEd, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting its approximately 9 million customers. He noted that the milestone reflects ongoing efforts to expand solutions that encourage the use of energy-saving technologies. These efforts are especially important during peak demand periods, such as the summer season, when electricity usage typically increases and puts pressure on the grid.
Beyond financial savings, the energy efficiency program has also delivered significant environmental benefits. Since its launch, it has helped customers reduce electricity consumption by nearly 112 million megawatt-hours. This reduction has resulted in the prevention of approximately 84 billion pounds of carbon emissions. To put this impact into perspective, ComEd equates it to planting around 38 million acres of trees or removing nearly 9 million cars from the road for an entire year. These figures highlight the program’s role not only in reducing costs but also in supporting broader climate goals.
A key feature of the program is its focus on inclusivity. ComEd offers targeted support for income-eligible customers, many of whom live in older homes that are less energy efficient and more expensive to maintain. These customers may qualify for free home energy assessments, which help identify areas where energy is being wasted. Based on these assessments, eligible households can receive free weatherization upgrades. In addition, Community Action Agencies distribute free energy-saving kits that include basic tools and devices designed to reduce electricity usage.
The program’s impact extends beyond customers and the environment—it also plays a role in strengthening the state’s economy. According to Clean Jobs Midwest, Illinois had nearly 90,000 jobs in the energy efficiency sector in 2024. This sector represents a significant portion of the state’s broader clean energy workforce. Jobs include manufacturing ENERGY STAR-certified appliances, installing efficient lighting systems, deploying heat pumps, and constructing energy-efficient buildings using advanced materials such as low-carbon concrete. These roles contribute to both economic development and the transition to cleaner energy systems.
Industry experts have also praised the long-term value of ComEd’s energy efficiency efforts. Paige Knutsen, Executive Director of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, emphasized that reaching $13 billion in savings is a major accomplishment for both ComEd and the region. She noted that sustained investment in energy efficiency not only reduces costs and emissions but also increases demand for skilled labor. This, in turn, helps build a workforce capable of delivering large-scale energy savings in the future, supporting both affordability and sustainability goals.
ComEd also emphasizes that its Energy Efficiency Program is one part of a broader strategy to address rising energy bills. The company notes that nearly half of a customer’s electricity bill is driven by supply costs, which are influenced by extreme weather conditions and imbalances between energy supply and demand. Importantly, ComEd does not profit from electricity supply prices, as these costs are passed directly to customers.
The company’s efforts are aligned with what it calls “The Exelon Promise,” a customer-focused initiative led by its parent company, Exelon. This strategy is designed to provide immediate relief, stronger consumer protections, and long-term solutions to rising energy costs. Several initiatives fall under this umbrella.
One key initiative is the Low-Income Discount (LID) program, launched in January. This program provides eligible customers with percentage-based discounts on their electricity bills, depending on household income. Customers earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level may qualify, with the goal of limiting energy costs to between 3% and 6% of household income.
Another initiative is the Delivery Time-of-Day pricing plan, also introduced in January. This program encourages customers to shift their electricity usage to off-peak hours when demand and prices are lower. By adjusting usage patterns, households can potentially reduce their monthly energy expenses.
ComEd has also implemented direct financial relief programs. Last year, the company launched a $10 million Customer Relief Fund that helped more than 30,000 customers manage their utility bills. Plans are underway to extend this program later in the year, in collaboration with Exelon.
In addition, legislative efforts supported by ComEd have resulted in substantial customer savings. Recent policies have provided more than $803 million in bill credits, averaging about $13 per month for customers during the first five months of the year, depending on usage.
Overall, ComEd’s Energy Efficiency Program represents a long-term effort to balance affordability, sustainability, and economic development. By helping customers reduce energy consumption, the program not only lowers household and business costs but also supports environmental goals and job creation across Illinois.
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