ComEd Energy Efficiency Program Earns National Recognition for Reducing Energy Costs
ComEd’s Energy Efficiency (EE) Program has received national recognition from the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), earning the prestigious Stars of Energy Efficiency Award in the Power & Utilities category. The recognition highlights ComEd’s efforts to help customers reduce energy costs, particularly households facing high energy burdens across northern Illinois.
The award was presented during ASE’s 33rd annual gala held on May 6 in Washington, D.C., where ComEd competed alongside five finalists in the utilities category. The honor reflects growing attention on utility-led programs that combine affordability, sustainability, and community-focused energy solutions at a time when energy costs remain a major concern for households and businesses nationwide.
ComEd’s Energy Efficiency Program has become one of the largest and most expansive utility efficiency initiatives in the United States. Through a broad range of incentives, rebates, and support services, the program helps customers reduce electricity consumption, lower monthly utility bills, improve home comfort, and decrease environmental impacts.
The utility said that 2025 marked the most impactful year in the history of the program, particularly in terms of expanding support for low-income residents and communities affected by environmental inequities. The company focused heavily on delivering accessible energy-saving solutions to households that often spend a disproportionate share of income on utility bills.
According to ComEd, the program distributed approximately $95 million in incentives to income-eligible customers during 2025. This represented nearly one-third of all incentives issued through the utility’s broader energy efficiency portfolio during the year. These incentives were designed to offset the costs associated with energy-saving upgrades and technologies, making improvements more accessible to customers who may otherwise struggle to afford them.
The investments generated substantial long-term benefits for participating households. ComEd estimates that customers participating in these programs achieved approximately $62.9 million in lifetime bill savings. These savings were realized through a variety of measures, including reduced electricity consumption, improved heating and cooling system performance, and replacement of outdated, energy-intensive appliances with modern, efficient alternatives.
Many of the programs offered by ComEd also include no-cost installation or direct-delivery options, eliminating upfront financial barriers that often prevent households from pursuing energy-saving improvements. By removing installation costs and simplifying participation, ComEd aims to help customers immediately lower monthly expenses while improving overall energy efficiency.
Gil Quiniones, President and Chief Executive Officer of ComEd, said the company was honored to receive recognition from one of the world’s leading authorities on energy efficiency.
He emphasized that ComEd has spent years helping customers lower both energy consumption and utility costs through large-scale efficiency initiatives. Since the launch of the EE Program in 2008, ComEd estimates that its efforts have generated enough electricity savings to power approximately 12 million ComEd households for an entire year.
In addition to reducing electricity demand, the utility reported that its energy efficiency efforts have saved customers more than $13 billion on energy bills over the life of the program. The company also highlighted the environmental benefits associated with lower electricity consumption, noting that the program has helped prevent more than 77 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere.
ComEd compared those environmental savings to planting 38 million acres of trees or removing nearly 9 million vehicles from U.S. roads for one year, underscoring the broader climate and sustainability impact of energy efficiency initiatives.
The Alliance to Save Energy praised utilities and organizations that are prioritizing energy efficiency at a time of rising electricity demand and growing affordability concerns. ASE President Paula Glover said the United States is entering a period of record-breaking electricity demand growth, increasing the urgency of adopting efficiency measures as a low-cost and rapid solution to energy challenges.
She noted that energy affordability continues to affect millions of Americans and described energy efficiency as one of the fastest and most economical ways to address mounting pressure on the power system.
The ASE award adds to a growing list of honors for ComEd’s energy efficiency efforts. In 2024, the company received the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the 12th consecutive year. The distinction is considered the EPA’s highest honor for ENERGY STAR partners and recognizes organizations that demonstrate measurable energy savings and meaningful contributions to climate protection.
ComEd said the recognition reflects its long-term commitment to providing customers with tools and resources that improve affordability while supporting broader environmental goals.
The utility also emphasized that its energy efficiency initiatives are part of a broader strategy to help customers cope with rising energy supply costs. While ComEd manages electricity delivery, the company noted that supply prices themselves are driven by market conditions, including extreme weather events and imbalances between electricity demand and available supply.
According to the utility, energy supply charges now account for nearly half of customer electricity bills. ComEd stated that it does not profit from these supply costs, which are passed directly to customers.
To address affordability concerns, ComEd has introduced several additional customer assistance programs under its parent company Exelon’s broader customer-focused strategy known as “The Exelon Promise.” The initiative is intended to provide immediate relief, long-term support, and additional protections for customers dealing with rising energy expenses.
Among the newest efforts is the Low-Income Discount (LID) Program, which launched in January. The program offers percentage-based discounts on electricity bills for qualifying low-income customers earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. The discounts are designed to help ensure that participating households spend only 3 to 6 percent of household income on energy costs.
ComEd also launched its Delivery Time-of-Day pricing option earlier this year. The program encourages customers to shift electricity use to periods when overall demand and electricity prices are lower. By adjusting energy usage patterns, customers may reduce overall electricity costs while helping ease pressure on the grid during peak periods.
Another recent initiative includes the company’s $10 million Customer Relief Fund, introduced last year in partnership with Exelon. The fund provided direct bill assistance to more than 30,000 ComEd customers experiencing financial hardship. ComEd indicated that an extension of the relief program is expected later this year.
In addition, the company continues to support legislation that has resulted in significant customer bill credits. According to ComEd, customers received more than $803 million in total bill credits during the first five months of the year, averaging approximately $13 per month depending on electricity usage levels.
To simplify access to available assistance programs, ComEd has also developed online tools aimed at helping customers identify the best options for reducing energy costs. Residential customers can access rebates, incentives, and energy-saving services through the company’s Home Savings platform, while businesses can explore separate efficiency offerings tailored to commercial operations.
The utility additionally offers its Smart Assistance Manager (SAM), an online platform designed to guide customers through available bill assistance and efficiency programs. The tool asks users a series of questions and then recommends programs, rebates, and support services based on customer eligibility and energy needs.
As energy demand rises across the United States and affordability concerns remain a key issue for consumers, utilities are increasingly turning to energy efficiency programs as a central strategy for balancing grid reliability, environmental goals, and customer cost management. ComEd’s latest recognition from the Alliance to Save Energy highlights the growing role such programs are playing in the evolving energy landscape.
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