ComEd Smart Meters

States and utilities throughout the country are testing new “smart” electric meters and other technologies as part of the journey to a Smart Grid electric delivery system. The deployment of smart meters in our community will enable residents to access electricity usage information through the Internet, which will help residents monitor their electricity use and manage their bill.

Our community is participating in one of the first deployments of smart meter technology in Illinois. Following approval by the Illinois Commerce Commission in October 2009, ComEd is now exchanging old meters with advanced smart meters. What makes these meters “smart” is that unlike your current meter that is read once a month, these next generation meters report hourly electricity usage via secure two-way communication on a daily basis. These meters are part of a pilot program to determine the practical benefits to installing smart meters throughout ComEd’s service territory as a building block to a Smart Grid system that will enhance reliability, reduce cost and carbon emissions. ComEd also will ask a select group of customers to test additional features including alternative pricing plans for electricity, in-home energy displays and other energy management tools.

If you are a customer within the pilot footprint ComEd may replace your existing meter with a new digital smart meter from November 2009 through May 2010.

When the pilot is fully implemented in early summer 2010, this new technology will:

• Provide you with daily usage information, accessible through the Internet, to help you monitor your energy use and manage your energy costs.
• Enable ComEd to access important account information on demand, so customer service representatives can provide more complete information, more quickly.
• Allow ComEd to begin assessing the potential operational, environmental and other benefits of smart meters for all ComEd customers.

About your smart meter installation:

• You will receive a letter and fact sheet three weeks prior to meter installation and also a reminder phone call one week before installation.
• Installation will take place between 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
• Ensure ComEd has access to the meter by eliminating obstacles such as locked gates, dogs, etc. If the meter is outdoors, we do not need to enter your home or business and you do not need to be present.
• If the meter is inaccessible, after two attempts ComEd will contact you to schedule an appointment.
• The installation process averages 5 – 10 minutes.
• The installation will require a brief service interruption so check your clocks and other electronic devices to reset.

We value your participation as we take the initial steps to modernizing the electric system to further solidify Illinois as an attractive business location and a place where people want to work, live and raise their families. To learn more, please view the Frequently Asked Questions, visit comed.com/smartmeter, or call 1-800-EDISON-1 for more information.