Trystan Casey
In 1997, the Illinois Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law was passed, allowing Illinois residents to choose their electric supplier. ComEd is the default supplier for those who haven't chosen a Retail Electric Supplier (RES). ComEd purchases electricity and charges customers based on usage without any mark-up, and handles outages, emergency services, and inquiries about residential service regardless of your chosen supplier. Over 178,000 customers have switched to an RES, and you can learn more about real-time electricity pricing and energy conservation through your utility provider.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Bloomingdale, IL |
| Choice of electric supplier | Available since 1997 due to the Illinois Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law |
| ComEd's responsibilities | Purchasing electric supply for customers who haven't chosen an RES; charging customers for these purchases without mark-up or profit based on monthly usage |
| Choosing an RES | No deadline; effective date depends on next meter read date; may have to wait 12 months after returning to utility's electric supply service before choosing an RES again |
| Benefits of switching to an RES | Potential cost savings, access to suppliers using green/renewable energy resources, other options besides your current utility |
| Considerations when shopping for an RES | Think about what is most important to you and ask plenty of questions |
| Resources for learning more | Plug In Illinois®, the Official Electric Choice Website of the Illinois Commerce Commission |
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What You'll Learn
- ComEd continues to purchase electricity for customers who haven't chosen an RES
- ComEd charges customers for electricity supply without markup or profit
- No matter the supplier, ComEd handles outages, emergencies, and service questions
- Over 178,000 ComEd customers have switched to an RES
- RES suppliers must be certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission
ComEd continues to purchase electricity for customers who haven't chosen an RES
If you are a ComEd customer who has not chosen a Retail Electric Supplier (RES), ComEd will continue to purchase electricity on your behalf. The price you pay per kilowatt-hour ("kWh") for the electricity you use is called the electric supply charge, and it is determined by your choice of supplier. This charge appears on your ComEd bill, and it includes the ComEd Electric Supply Charges and Transmission Services Charges. The transmission services charge allows ComEd to recover costs associated with transmission service.
The ComEd Price to Compare is adjusted monthly and includes the electric supply charge and the transmission services charge. As of June 1, 2022, the ComEd Price to Compare was 11.041 cents per kWh. The Purchased Electricity Adjustment, which is calculated monthly, ensures that ComEd customers pay no more or less than ComEd’s actual cost of purchased electricity. This charge is capped at a maximum of 0.5 cents/kWh each month, and any amounts outside of the cap are deferred to the following month.
When you select a Retail Electric Supplier, the ComEd Electric Supply Charges and Transmission Services Charges on your ComEd bill will be replaced with the charges from your new supplier. Some suppliers will send you a bill directly, which will include the ComEd delivery service charges, as well as the supplier's supply and transmission charges. It's important to note that the Renewable Energy Adjustment, a separate charge in the “Taxes & Fees” section of your ComEd bill, will be the same for all customers starting with the June 2019 billing period.
To make an informed decision when choosing a Retail Electric Supplier, customers can compare their past electric supply cost savings with estimates provided by RESs. Competitive electric supplier savings estimates are often calculated as a percentage savings compared to the utility's fixed-price electric supply rate. Customers can also compute their average real-time hourly price in cents per kWh to compare with RES offers. However, it's important to remember that past savings may not predict future savings but only serve as a guide to compare past performance.
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ComEd charges customers for electricity supply without markup or profit
The ComEd Electric Supply Charge on your bill includes the cost of electric energy, capacity, and other miscellaneous services and procurement costs. ComEd does not profit from the Electricity Supply Charge; it simply passes on the cost of supplying electricity to its customers. This means that the Electricity Supply Charge is without markup or profit.
The Purchased Electricity Adjustment (PEA) is a price adjustment (credit or charge) that is the difference between the revenues from the monthly ComEd Price-to-Compare and the actual cost of electricity supplied to ComEd customers. The PEA is calculated monthly and ensures that customers pay no more or less than ComEd’s actual cost of purchased electricity. The PEA is capped at a maximum of 0.5 cents/kWh each month, with amounts outside of the cap deferred to the following month.
The Transmission Services Charge is another component of the ComEd bill. This charge is different for Hourly Pricing participants than it is for customers on the default fixed-price rate. For Hourly Pricing participants, the Transmission Services Charge does not include capacity costs, so ComEd lists this as a separate line item. The Transmission Services Charge and the Electric Supply Charge make up the ComEd Price to Compare. As of June 1, 2022, the ComEd Price to Compare was 11.041 cents per kWh.
When you select service from a retail electric supplier, the ComEd Electric Supply Charges and Transmission Services Charges will be replaced with the charges from your new supplier. Some suppliers will send you a bill directly, while others will place their charges on your ComEd bill.
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No matter the supplier, ComEd handles outages, emergencies, and service questions
ComEd, short for Commonwealth Edison Company, is one of the largest utility companies in Illinois, serving millions of customers across the state. ComEd is dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity services to its customers. The company aims to enhance the quality of life for Illinois residents by delivering innovative energy solutions while maintaining a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction.
To report a power outage, customers can call ComEd's emergency hotline or use the ComEd app. Providing precise information about the outage location and duration helps ComEd's team respond more effectively and resolve the issue faster. ComEd is dedicated to restoring power as quickly as possible during such events, ensuring minimal disruption to its customers' daily lives.
In addition to outage response, ComEd offers a seamless and hassle-free process for service upgrades and enhancements. Whether customers are upgrading their electrical panel or requesting new service installations, ComEd ensures a smooth experience. ComEd also provides resources to assist customers in resolving billing-related problems effectively. Customers can follow steps such as carefully reviewing their bill, contacting ComEd customer service for clarification, and submitting a formal complaint if needed.
ComEd offers multiple communication channels, including live chat support on their website, to ensure customers can easily access the assistance they need. By providing clear communication and relevant information, customers can maximize their experience with ComEd's customer service and ensure their concerns are resolved swiftly.
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Over 178,000 ComEd customers have switched to an RES
In 2020, over 150,000 residential customers of Illinois electric company Commonwealth Edison Co. (ComEd) switched to alternative electric suppliers. This represented a sharp increase from the number of customers who had switched from the utility at the end of September. By October of that year, 158,511 residential customers in the ComEd service area had switched to an alternative electric supplier and completed at least one billing cycle.
This trend of customers switching to alternative retail electric suppliers (ARES) was also observed across the state of Illinois. In July 2020, it was reported that 262,000 Illinois electricity customers had switched to a retail supplier, with more customers discovering the benefits of buying their power from an ARES. The number of Illinois residential electricity customers who switched from their utility and started buying from an ARES grew by more than 17% in December 2020, to 261,998 from 223,528 in November.
ComEd's market share has been impacted by these customer transitions, and the company has also faced challenges due to billing and customer information system upgrades. In 2025, ComEd initiated an upgrade that negatively affected its customers and disrupted key systems and processes used by retail energy suppliers for billing and quoting prices. This caused frustration among retail suppliers and their customers, leading to billing delays and estimated bill issuances.
While the exact number of customers who have switched to an RES from ComEd may vary over time, the available data suggests that a significant number of customers have made the transition to alternative electric suppliers.
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RES suppliers must be certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission
Illinois legislation requires contractors installing certain measures for energy efficiency programs in Illinois to be certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). This certification process has been in full effect since January 1, 2018, and applies to any measure that requires an electrical connection and any measure that will receive an incentive greater than $300. Certified installers agree to comply with building and electrical codes, as well as manufacturer installation instructions.
It is important to note that certification is mandatory only when applicable measures are installed by a third-party external contractor. Self-installed measures, or those installed by an internal employee or staff member, are exempt from this requirement. The ICC provides a straightforward online application process for installer certification and recertification. There is no cost associated with renewing the certification, which must be done annually by June 1. However, late fees ranging from $100 to $1,000 will be incurred for missing the renewal deadline.
The Illinois Commerce Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring that contractors installing energy efficiency measures are qualified and adhere to established standards. By requiring certification, the ICC helps to protect consumers and promote best practices in the energy efficiency industry. This certification process provides assurance to consumers that the installers have the necessary expertise and are committed to following the relevant codes and instructions.
Additionally, the ICC's certification encourages the use of certified installers by withholding incentives for energy efficiency programs unless a certified installer is employed. This further incentivizes contractors to become certified and maintain their certification, thereby ensuring a consistent level of quality and compliance in the industry. Overall, the Illinois Commerce Commission's certification program plays a vital role in regulating the energy efficiency sector and safeguarding the interests of consumers in Illinois.
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Frequently asked questions
ComEd is an electric supply company that purchases electricity for customers who have not chosen a Retail Electric Supplier (RES).
A Retail Electric Supplier (RES) is an alternative electric supplier that customers can choose to purchase electricity from instead of ComEd. Over 178,000 residential customers in Illinois have switched to a RES, allowing them to save money or find suppliers that use green/renewable energy resources.
There is no deadline for choosing an electric supplier. You can visit Plug In Illinois®, the Official Electric Choice Website of the Illinois Commerce Commission, to learn more about electric competition in Illinois and how to choose an electric supplier.
By choosing a Retail Electric Supplier (RES), customers can save money and find suppliers that use green/renewable energy resources. Additionally, customers can learn more about their utility rate and real-time electricity pricing, regardless of their chosen electric supplier.
