ComEd Supply Advice

[dja1980]

Last year, the city of Sycamore signed up all residents (with the option to opt out) with First Energy Solutions as the supplier for ComEd. We recently received a letter from ComEd stating that we are coming to an end to that agreement, and that if we don’t choose a new supplier prior to 10/31, we will be locked in with ComEd as the new supplier for the next 12 months. The rate we were getting with FES was $0.0481/KWH, and it appears that ComEd’s Sept. rate was $0.07665/kWh (12 month average was $0.06215).

I was actually looking into purchasing a Nest thermostat, and there is an offer on their website to get a free Nest + $50 if you switch to Direct Energy for 24 months at a locked rate of $0.0739. This rate is still a lot higher than what we are currently paying, so I’m curious if any of you have seen any other great offers from ComEd suppliers. Over the past 13 months, we have averaged 1,760kWh. So, it might be better to simply pay cash for the Nest, and try to lock in a better rate elsewhere.

1,760 x $0.0481 = $ 84.66/mo. x 12 months = $1,015.87/yr. (First Energy Solutions)
1,760 x $0.0622 = $109.47/mo. x 12 months = $1,313.66/yr. (ComeEd – rate will fluctuate)
1,760 x $0.0739 = $130.06/mo. x 12 months = $1,560.77/yr. (Direct Energy – free Nest & $50 GC)

I should also mention that the letter I received also states in bold letter “you cannot return to your previous supplier”. I’m curious to hear others’ experience with different supply companies.

 

[xtlosx]

With the bashing commodities are taking right now, energy will be cheap for quite a while... I'm not a fan of being "locked in" because it can go both ways on you. You might save, but you might also lose big if there is downside, which right now, there is a LOT of.

 

[electrodude]

Here's the deal with com Ed. It's there power lines if God forbid something bad happens to your power line, and you are no longer there customer you get charge for repair. Which could be in the thousands. If your there Customer it's free. If something happens where you need something fixed customers are first then you. I personally am sticking with the guys who own the lines it's cheaper in the long run. If something ever does happen.

 

[Shaummy]

Here's the deal with com Ed. It's there power lines if God forbid something bad happens to your power line, and you are no longer there customer you get charge for repair. Which could be in the thousands. If your there Customer it's free. If something happens where you need something fixed customers are first then you. I personally am sticking with the guys who own the lines it's cheaper in the long run. If something ever does happen.

Is this really true? ComEd is still responsible for the distribution/delivery of power, you have someone else supplying the power to them. I didn't think that having an alternative supplier made any change to the distribution support. You are still ComEd's customer...I still get billed through them even though we have an alternative supplier.

 

[electrodude]

When I spoke to com Ed Crew during an installation. This is what I was informed

 

[dja1980]

Is this really true? ComEd is still responsible for the distribution/delivery of power, you have someone else supplying the power to them. I didn't think that having an alternative supplier made any change to the distribution support. You are still ComEd's customer...I still get billed through them even though we have an alternative supplier.

I thought this was the case also, my ComEd bill still reflects that I'm a customer of ComEd for the Delivery portion of the bill.

And, having my rate locked at $0.0481 for the past 12 months saved me roughly $300 over that time period compared to ComEd's fluctuating rate.

Also, ComEd's Sept-2013 rate was $0.05544/kWh compared to ComEd's Oct-2014 rate of $0.07665/kWh... so this has me a little concerned about riding the ComEd roller coaster over the next 12 months.

 

[ostrow]

ComEd RTPP beats everything! Have them install a smart meter and put you on that program. Research it. No-brainer.

 

[Shaummy]

When I spoke to com Ed Crew during an installation. This is what I was informed

You have the right to choose who provides the supply portion of your electric service.

You may also choose the provider of your metering service.

ComEd continues to provide the delivery of electricity to all customers.

ComEd remains responsible for the wires, poles and all outage restoration.

ComEd will treat all customers equally, regardless of choice of service provider.

 

[Kmiec123]

This is the link to the state sight that has all the suppliers...
http://www.pluginillinois.org/res.aspx

Check out the numbers and shop around, just like buying anything else. There are some companies that choose more green choices, so you can assist in pushing for green alternatives by using them, some can even benefit non-profits and/or Veterans through special programs.

 

[dja1980]

Thanks guys... I'm going to check in to the smart meter thing again... and do a little more research on the PlugInIllinois website to compare rates.

 

[dja1980]

ComEd RTPP beats everything! Have them install a smart meter and put you on that program. Research it. No-brainer.

I called ComEd to have a Smart Meter installed, but they're not scheduled to be in the Sycamore area until 2018! I think we can still get on the RTPP plan, but I can definitely see how the Smart Meter would have been a useful tool in conjunction with that plan.

 

[ostrow]

Wow. I thought it was available statewide now!

 

[skunkmere]

i have rrtp and this year i payed more or the same as normal rates. i saved a ton last year but this year not so much, im going to stick with it but if its like this for another 6 months im going to cancel.

 

[goat585]

I have been on real time pricing for over two years and have saved over $2000 in energy costs. I did shift all my lights running on my tanks to over night. The last year the savings have not been as great but I still save 10 to 15 percent over Comed's normal rate with one or two months being slightly more due to the deep freeze early this year.

 

[ostrow]

I have been on real time pricing for over two years and have saved over $2000 in energy costs. I did shift all my lights running on my tanks to over night. The last year the savings have not been as great but I still save 10 to 15 percent over Comed's normal rate with one or two months being slightly more due to the deep freeze early this year.

Exactly.

 

[harry r]

+1 for comed rrtp. I have had it since December 2009 with no bag effects. While some years are better than others, over the past 4 years I have saved over $1500 without changing my energy usage times. If you want to get aggressive and change your usage times a bit you can save more. Comed's only rule is that if you sign up, you stay for a year. After that you could change again. But the upshot for me is my cost is lower than buying any third party's power. That has been confirmed when we did talk to those companies They could not touch it.

I brought this to the rooms attention back in 2010. I hope some have taken advantage of it.

By the way, if you get rrtp, you get a smart meter installed. Not sure if it's the same as noted above but it's a smart meter. Guessing it is. It's needed for rrtp.

 

[ct_vol]

Bumping this thread up. My wife brought to my attention a letter we received from ComEd...



Running Halides on multiple systems. I get it that I live on a farm and I'm a reefer, but $3600+ over my neighbors in the year?!? I decided to switch my basement systems over to LEDs and just keep my main displays Halides.

So, what is this rrtp? How do I get on board?

 

[ostrow]

Requires a smart meter. If those exist in your area you can sign up online. Otherwise you need to call to see if they can install in your area....

 

[ct_vol]

Yeah. I doubt that's available where I live. Can't hurt to call though.

 

[Volcano1]

At least you can switch. My hometown supplies the power with some hydro, what else they need they buy.We are stuck with what ever rate they decide on.I'm sure my use is the highest of my neighbors, and some of them are commercial.