Discover 2026 rates, plans, and customer reviews to see if ComEd is the right electricity provider for your Illinois home.
Key Takeaways
- ComEd delivers electricity to over 4 million customers across northern Illinois, but residents can choose their own retail energy supplier.
- The early 2026 ComEd default fixed-rate Price to Compare averages 9.66 cents per kWh for standard non-summer residential supply.
- Customers can instantly report power outages and manage their billing by using the ComEd mobile app or calling 1-800-EDISON-1.
Moving to a new home in northern Illinois or simply looking to lower your monthly utility bill? Navigating your electricity options starts with understanding Commonwealth Edison, better known as ComEd. Operating within a deregulated energy market, this massive utility gives you the freedom to choose your energy supply while continuing to handle the physical delivery of your power. Whether you are considering the standard fixed rate, exploring dynamic hourly pricing, or comparing third-party suppliers, we have broken down everything you need to know about ComEd electricity rates, programs, and reviews to help you make a smart, money-saving choice for your household.
What Is ComEd and How Does It Work in Illinois?
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) is the primary electricity delivery company for northern Illinois and a major subsidiary of the Exelon Corporation. Because Illinois operates a deregulated energy market, ComEd’s role is uniquely divided into two distinct parts: delivery and supply. It is crucial to understand the difference between a utility company and an energy supplier in this landscape.
ComEd is legally mandated to act as your local utility company. This means they maintain the sprawling network of power lines, poles, and transformers to deliver electricity to your home, and they are responsible for responding to all power outages — regardless of who actually generates your electricity. However, when it comes to your energy supplier, you have a choice. You can purchase your actual electricity supply directly from ComEd at their default rate, or you can shop around the deregulated market for an alternative retail supplier. This setup prevents utility monopolies and ensures you always have the flexibility to find the best possible rate for your budget.
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ComEd Coverage Area and Major Cities Served
ComEd’s expansive footprint covers roughly 70% of the state’s population, blanketing 11,400 square miles from the Wisconsin border down to Pontiac, and stretching from the Indiana border west to the Mississippi River. If you reside in the northern half of Illinois, ComEd is almost certainly your designated utility for energy delivery.
The provider powers a customer base of over 4 million residential and commercial accounts across 25 different counties. The vast coverage zone includes major metropolitan hubs, densely populated suburbs, and rural communities alike. Some of the most notable cities in the ComEd service territory include:
Current ComEd Plans, Pricing, and the Price to Compare
When you set up electricity service, you need to understand exactly what you are paying for. If you do not actively choose a third-party supplier, you will automatically be enrolled in ComEd’s Basic Electric Service (BES). This default rate serves as a baseline for the entire region.
If you are exploring the deregulated energy market, you will frequently encounter the term “Price to Compare” (PTC). The ComEd price to compare is the exact combined rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) that ComEd charges for the generation and transmission of your electricity. It acts as your primary benchmark when shopping among competitive retail electric providers (REPs). You should always reference your current bill to find the most accurate, up-to-date PTC for your specific household before you start shopping.
| Service Type | Current Plan Structure | 2026 Average Rate (per kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Electric Service (BES) | Default fixed-rate supply, adjusts twice annually | 9.66 cents (Non-Summer) |
Fixed-Rate vs. Variable Plans
Beyond the default BES rate, ComEd essentially provides two main in-house supply choices: the standard default fixed-rate plan or the ComEd Hourly Pricing program. Opting for fixed-rate plans provides budgeting stability, as the supply rate only adjusts twice a year during the summer and non-summer seasons. This predictability makes it easy to forecast your monthly expenses.
Conversely, the Hourly Pricing program charges you the real-time wholesale market price for electricity. Because the wholesale electricity market is dictated by the PJM interconnection grid, extreme weather events can cause these rates to surge or plunge based on regional demand. While this variable structure carries more risk during summer heatwaves, it can yield massive savings if you are willing to shift your heavy appliance usage to late-night off-peak hours.
Understanding Alternative Retail Electric Suppliers (ARES)
In Illinois, you have the right to purchase your electricity from an Alternative Retail Electric Supplier (ARES). These competitive companies buy energy on the wholesale market and offer varied pricing structures directly to consumers. When you evaluate third-party options — such as Constellation, Direct Energy, or Ambit Energy — you must weigh their offered promotional rate against ComEd’s default PTC.
If a competitor offers a rate lower than 9.66 cents per kWh, you will save money on the supply portion of your bill by switching. Switching away from the ComEd default rate is a seamless process that takes only a few minutes:
- Locate your ComEd account number on your most recent paper or digital bill.
- Search your ZIP code on our platform to find and compare competitive local rates in your exact area.
- Select a plan and sign up through the new supplier’s website. They will securely notify ComEd of the change on your behalf, and your service will never be interrupted during the billing transition.
How to Report and Track ComEd Power Outages
Severe weather in the Midwest can trigger unexpected grid disruptions, but tracking a ComEd power outage is incredibly straightforward. If you experience an outage, do not assume your neighbors have already reported it. Promptly notifying the utility helps dispatch crews faster and improves overall grid response times. Before reaching for your phone, always check your circuit breakers to ensure the issue isn’t localized to your own electrical panel.
Here are the quickest ways to handle an electrical outage:
- Call Customer Service: Dial the official support line at 1-800-EDISON-1 to report an outage securely through their automated phone system.
- Use the Text Alert System: Text the word OUT to 26633 to instantly report a service drop. You can also text STAT to check the estimated crew restoration time for your specific address.
- View the Outage Map: Visit the interactive ComEd power outage map on their website to see the scope of affected areas, active crew statuses, and localized restoration timelines based on colored incident icons.
ComEd Mobile App and Account Management
For modern homeowners, maintaining full control over your utility account from a smartphone is practically essential. The official ComEd mobile app is completely free and available for download on both iOS and Google Play, streamlining the way you interact with your energy provider on a daily basis.
The app offers several core capabilities that make account management a breeze:
- Mobile Bill Pay: Securely view your monthly statements, schedule one-time payments, or manage your auto-pay settings without ever needing to log into a desktop computer.
- One-Tap Outage Reporting: Bypass the phone queues entirely and report a localized power outage directly through the app interface with just a few screen taps.
- Hourly Energy Usage Tracking: Monitor your real-time electricity consumption data to identify habits that drive up your monthly costs — an invaluable tool for Hourly Pricing enrollees trying to maximize their savings.
Customer Reviews: What Are People Saying About ComEd?
When researching utility providers, checking third-party sentiment often reveals the reality behind the marketing. Because ComEd serves such a massive region, ComEd reviews naturally highlight a mix of highly efficient grid services and typical bureaucratic frustrations.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) and ConsumerAffairs
Across formal review platforms like the BBB and ConsumerAffairs, customer feedback shows a mixed bag typical of massive regional delivery networks. Customers frequently cite long wait times when attempting to reach a live representative during major summer storm outages. Another common complaint centers around unexpected billing spikes. Many users express frustration when the variable Purchased Electricity Adjustment (PEA) fee fluctuates, leading to frustrating sticker shock on their July and August statements.
Local Forums and Reddit Sentiment
On community discussion boards like Reddit’s r/chicago, the sentiment is notably more balanced. Users consistently praise ComEd for its impressive speed of outage restoration and reliable grid stability. The text alert system and mobile app also receive high marks for ease of use. Additionally, residents frequently praise the ComEd energy efficiency program for delivering substantial cash rebates on smart thermostats and appliances without making the application process overly tedious.
Fees, Guarantees, and Billing Options
Understanding your monthly statement is the first step to reducing it. Every ComEd bill is divided into two primary sections that dictate your final cost: Delivery Charges and Supply Charges.
Delivery Charges are non-shoppable fees regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission. They cover the physical cost of maintaining the poles, wires, and meters that transport electricity to your home. You must pay these fees regardless of who supplies your power. Conversely, Supply Charges represent the shoppable portion of your bill. This is the actual cost of the electricity you consume, measured in kilowatt-hours.
To make paying these charges easier, there are several flexible ComEd billing options available:
- AutoPay: Automatically deducts your monthly balance from a linked checking account or credit card so you never miss a due date.
- Budget Billing: Spreads your annual energy costs evenly across 12 months, preventing massive bill spikes during the peak summer and winter seasons.
- Pay-by-Phone: Allows you to submit a payment securely through the automated 1-800-EDISON-1 hotline if you lack internet access.
Sustainability: ComEd’s Green and Renewable Initiatives
ComEd places a heavy emphasis on grid modernization and reducing the carbon footprint of northern Illinois. The utility continuously invests in ComEd smart grid technology, aiming to distribute an increasingly high percentage of decarbonized, clean energy throughout its territory.
For eco-conscious consumers looking to make their homes more sustainable, ComEd offers several residential programs:
- Home Energy Assessments: Homeowners and renters can schedule a free assessment where professionals identify energy leaks and install free efficiency products like LED bulbs and smart power strips.
- Heat Pump Rebates: Generous financial incentives are available for upgrading outdated HVAC systems to highly efficient electric heat pumps.
- Community Solar Integration: This setup allows you to support renewable generation without the high upfront costs of installing rooftop panels. By subscribing to a local solar farm, your generated power is fed directly into the local grid, and ComEd rewards you with solar credits that lower your supply charges.
If you want to ensure your home’s exact usage is completely offset by renewables, you can also shop around for 100% renewable plans from competitive retail suppliers.
Financial Assistance, Deals, and Ways to Save
Managing utility costs should not be a struggle, and ComEd offers a robust lineup of programs designed to help you save energy and reduce your monthly overhead. Taking advantage of these incentives can noticeably lower your delivery and supply charges over time.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a critical resource for income-eligible households. You can apply for state-funded grants to assist with winter heating and summer cooling bills through your local Community Action Agency. Additionally, the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program issues substantial cash rebates for upgrading to ENERGY STAR-certified smart appliances, weatherizing your home, and recycling old, inefficient refrigerators.
Securing Your Ideal ComEd Energy Plan
Because you have the power to choose your energy supply in Illinois, you must weigh the benefits of sticking with the utility’s default rates versus exploring the deregulated market. Here is a quick breakdown to help guide your decision.
Pros of Sticking with ComEd:
- Default Convenience: You skip the hassle of shopping around and managing a secondary supplier contract.
- Flexible Plans: You gain seamless access to the innovative Hourly Pricing option if you want granular control over your daily energy habits.
- Stability: ComEd pricing is heavily regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission, keeping drastic, long-term price gouging in check.
Cons of Sticking with ComEd:
- Missed Promotional Savings: Third-party suppliers often offer cheaper introductory fixed rates or bill credits that the default utility simply cannot match.
- Lack of 100% Green Plans: The default supply mix relies on traditional generation, meaning you must typically switch to a specialized retail supplier to power your home entirely with wind or solar.
Ultimately, users prioritizing sheer simplicity should stick with ComEd for both delivery and supply. Their robust customer service tools like the mobile app make them an excellent choice for everyday energy management. However, if you are a savvy homeowner wanting locked-in, long-term rates to protect against summer inflation, or if you desire guaranteed green energy to lower your carbon footprint, it pays to shop the alternative supplier market.
Frequently Asked Questions About ComEd
What is the current ComEd price to compare?
As of early 2026, the standard non-summer residential supply rate averages 9.66 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). However, this rate adjusts twice a year, so you should always check your most recent billing statement for your exact, up-to-date price to compare.
Do I have to use ComEd for my electricity supply?
No, you do not have to use ComEd for your electricity supply. While ComEd is legally mandated to deliver your power, Illinois operates a deregulated energy market. This means you can pick an Alternative Retail Electric Supplier (ARES) for your electricity supply, or simply stick with ComEd’s default fixed rate.
How do I report a power outage to ComEd?
You can report a power outage by calling their customer service line at 1-800-EDISON-1, utilizing the one-tap reporting feature on the official ComEd mobile app, or by texting the word OUT to 26633 from a registered mobile device.
Why did my ComEd bill suddenly go up?
Sudden bill spikes are typically caused by increased energy consumption during extreme summer or winter weather. Additionally, fluctuations in the variable Purchased Electricity Adjustment (PEA) fee on your statement can cause temporary price increases even if your usage habits remain the same.
Does ComEd offer financial assistance or discount programs?
Yes, ComEd directs eligible customers to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for grant support. They also offer flexible budget billing and the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program, which provides cash rebates for utilizing smart home upgrades to lower your overall footprint.
Is the ComEd hourly pricing plan worth it?
The ComEd hourly pricing plan is highly beneficial if you have a flexible schedule and can consciously shift your heaviest electricity usage — like doing laundry or running the dishwasher — to off-peak hours late at night. If you rely heavily on daytime air conditioning during the summer, the standard fixed rate may be a safer choice.
If I switch suppliers, will my service be interrupted?
No, ComEd still safely delivers your power regardless of who supplies it, so switching energy providers will never cause a disruption in your grid reliability.
About the Author
David has been an integral part of some of the biggest utility sites on the internet, including InMyArea.com, HighSpeedInternet.com, BroadbandNow.com, and U.S. News. He brings over 15 years of experience writing about, compiling and analyzing utility data.