ComEd Peak Time Savings
ComEd’s advanced meters open the door for flexible, money-saving plans like Peak Time Savings (PTS). It gives participants a credit for reducing electricity use during certain “peak” times, usually hot summer afternoons when electricity demand is highest. CUB supports the program because it carries no cost and customers can earn money off their bill while positively impacting the entire grid.
Who can enroll?
Any ComEd customer with a digital smart meter can enroll, with two exceptions:
-You cannot participate in Peak Time Savings if you are already enrolled in ComEd’s Central AC Cycling or if you have net metering.
-Central AC Cycling rewards customers with bill credits for allowing the utility to remotely cycle their central air conditioner on and off. Net metering allows consumers to sell renewable energy they generate back to the utility.
How do I enroll in Peak Time Savings?
Visit: ComEd.com/pts or call: 1-844-852-0347
How does Peak Time Savings work?
Under the program, ComEd gives you a bill credit for reducing electricity use during “peak times” on a few summer days when power demand is highest. The amount you earn back will be based on your typical usage compared with what you used during one of these peak times. The Peak Time Savings credit will appear as dollars off your total amount due in the “Taxes and Fees” and “Updates” sections of your bill
What are “Peak Time Savings Hours” and when will they happen?
“Peak Time Savings Hours” are periods on hot summer days when ComEd will give participants the option of delaying heavy power usage to earn bill credits. ComEd will typically call 3-6 “Peak Time Savings Hours” per summer (May through October). These savings periods will typically occur for a few hours between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
How will I know when PTS hours occur?
Once enrolled, you will choose to have notifications sent to you by phone call, text message or email. You will receive a message from ComEd on the day Peak Time Savings hours occur—no earlier than 9 a.m. and at least 30 minutes before the period begins.
When does Peak Time Savings begin?
The program is active each summer from May through October. You can sign up at any time during the year. There’s no cost to enroll and no penalty for exiting.
Can I enroll in Peak Time Savings even if I have an alternative supplier for electricity?
Yes, if you have enrolled with an alternative supplier for your electricity supply, you are still eligible to enroll in ComEd’s Peak Time Savings program. You cannot participate in Peak Time Savings if you are already enrolled in ComEd’s Central AC Cycling or if you have net metering.
How much money can I save through Peak Time Savings?
The program rewards participants with a $1 credit for every kilowatt-hour they reduce their power usage. ComEd will determine the total amount of a customer’s credit using a formula based on his or her typical usage history versus what the customer actually used during a designated “peak time” period.
ComEd has said customers could earn a credit of $1 to $12 during a peak period by combining several simple actions, such as setting the thermostat 4 degrees higher and delaying use of the dishwasher, clothes dryer, vacuum, lights or electronics.
What if I don’t reduce my electricity usage during Peak Time Savings hours?
There is no penalty if you don’t reduce your power usage. You simply won’t get a credit that day. You can always participate in future “peak time” periods.
How is Peak Time Savings different than Hourly Pricing?
ComEd’s Hourly Pricing and Time-of-Day Pricing programs charge different rates at different times of the day or week. Hourly Pricing charges a rate that can change by the hour, based on the wholesale electricity market.
Under these programs, if you can shift heavy electricity usage to lower-demand periods when prices are lower, you have the potential to save money. These could be excellent programs for households that have the flexibility to shift their power usage to certain times. However, there is some risk, since you pay for electricity used during higher-priced times, as well.
Peak Time Savings customers aren’t given special rates according to time of day or the day of the week. They just receive a credit if they are able to shift their usage on certain summer days to lower-demand times. If they choose not to do that, they are not penalized with a higher rate. They just don’t get the credit.
Hourly Pricing customers can take part in the Peak Time Savings program, provided they are not also part of AC Cycling or net metering programs.