Summer is around the corner and temperatures are finally on the rise. But before you start cranking that AC, check out the new summer rates from your regulated electricity supplier. ComEd announced several weeks ago that its rate will jump from 5.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 7.596 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) starting…...
Cycle and save
Those hot summer days can be brutal on your electricity bills. One way to fight the summer-bill-blues is to take advantage of your utility’s energy efficiency incentives. Case in point: ComEd’s Smart Ideas® Central Air Conditioning Cycling. ComEd will credit you $5 or $10 off your monthly electric bill between June…...
CUB survey respondents are savvy consumers!
After a 115 percent in complaints over the year regarding alternative electric suppliers, CUB issued a consumer alert this week about the worst deals in the market. The alert included a survey asking consumers their impressions of alternative suppliers. First off, we want to congratulate Kenneth W. of Belleville for winning our survey drawing.…...
Five big red flags in Illinois’ electric market
CUB today is releasing a report that shows how Illinois’ electricity market has become more confusing, more expensive, and more treacherous in just the last 12 months. And the watchdog is concerned that consumers who are seeing headlines about summer rate hikes will get scared into bad deals. “Right now,…...
Breaking: ComEd power price to increase 38% June 1
ComEd’s residential energy rate is set to rise 38 percent from 5.52 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 7.596 cents per kWh on June 1. (See ways you can soften the rate hike below.) Crain’s Chicago Business reports that the average household bill will increase about 20 percent, to $82 per month because of…...
Report: ComEd parent says no to Illinois nuke bailout
According to a published report, ComEd-parent Exelon says it will NOT seek a state bailout of its nuclear power plants. (CUB Executive Director David Kolata had earlier described a full-fledged bailout as “radioactive” for consumer pocketbooks.) But the news is tinged with uncertainty, since consumer advocates wonder if the door…...