Tag Archives: ComEd

Smart Meters Reportedly Catching Fire, Naperville Residents React

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Reports of at least three of ComEd’s smart meters overheating and starting fires in customer homes have begun circulating around the Chicago area. Naperville opponents of the city’s smart meter program are using this as leverage to highlight the meters’ safety issues. Continue reading here.

An image of a damaged smart meter combusting due to overheating. Reports are that three such smart meters have done caught on fire in the Chicagoland area. The Naperville government states that the smart meters are a necessary city-wide electrical upgrade and that the meters are safe.

ComEd Power Outages Prompt New CEO to Find Fixes

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As the summer heat puts a strain on power systems causing outages, ComEd’s new CEO, Anne Pramaggiore, is looking to rework the way the company deals with customer service during those times. Pramaggiore is turning to social media and texting to keep customers up-to-date with power availability and repairs. Continue reading here.

As she takes the reigns of the utilities giant, Anne Pramaggiore is faced with evolving the company into the modern energy age, starting with getting information that customers need - faster.

Chicago Suburbs Continue to Seek Competitive Electricity Bids

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As more suburbs seek lower electricity rates, many are collecting bids to beat ComEd’s pricing. Antioch signed an early contract with Integrys Energy Systems Inc. to provide quicker savings to its citizens, but by not waiting to collect competing bids, it will end up costing the city in the long run. Continue reading here. 

Although Integrys Energy Systems Inc. still provides lower electricity cost than ComEd, Antioch missed out on savings by not doing their homework. Photo from solardecathlon.osu.edu

ComEd Launches Smartphone App

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For those in the suburbs looking to report outages, check when power will be restored, or review their payments, the electric company has just launched a free app for iOS and Android phones that allows utility customers to do so. Continue reading here.

ComEd just launched a smartphone app for Apple and Android phones that lets users manage their accounts and stay up to date on outages. Photo from www.suntimes.com/technology

ComEd Aiming for 4 Million Smart Meters in Next Decade

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Original Post (4/24/12): Smart meters connect wirelessly to the internet, allowing individuals to check their power usage, manage their consumption, and apply for rebates. Over the next decade, ComEd is looking to replace 4 million meters across Chicagoland and Northern Illinois with these smart meters. However, no one will be able to opt out of the program. Continue reading here.

Update (5/1/12): ComEd is seeking a 97 cents/month rate increase starting in 2013 to help fund its plans for modernizing its electric grid. The Illinois Commerce Commission must still approve the increase, however. Continue reading here.

This is an example of a Smart Meter management screen that lets users see their power consumption and trends and apply for rebates to get savings. Over the decade, ComEd plans to switch Chicagoland to smart meters. Photo from treehugger.com