ComEd to Make Over Joliet Home

JOLIET, Ill., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- A Joliet resident will receive an energy-efficiency home makeover as part of ComEd's Customers' Affordable Reliable Energy (CARE) program, which educates customers on ways to conserve energy and lower their bills.

Over the next several months, the home of Maria Zavala will undergo an energy-saving overhaul, paid for by ComEd as part of its CARE Energy Efficiency Showcase program. The company worked closely with the Will County Center for Community Concerns to select Zavala's home for participation in the program. ComEd conducted an energy audit of the Zavala home to identify potential improvements, which will include repairing and upgrading existing windows, air-sealing and insulating the attic, replacing the existing inefficient boiler with a high efficiency boiler and installing solar panels to produce hot water for domestic use. Upgrades made to the home will help lower the homeowner's energy bills over time.

"After a 20 percent cut and nine-year freeze, rates will be increasing in January," said ComEd Chairman and CEO Frank M. Clark. "It is critical that we educate and empower our customers about the steps they can take to conserve energy and help manage their bills. The Energy Efficiency Showcase serves as a great model for customers looking for practical ways to make improvements in their homes and save money."

Zavala's home is the fourth of a dozen homes of varying sizes, types, and ages throughout northern Illinois to be selected through 2007 to receive a CARE energy efficiency overhaul. The ComEd-funded projects may include installing energy-efficient appliances or light bulbs, improving insulation, weather-stripping doors and windows, or other improvements -- saving these customers about 20-35 percent on their energy bills. Customers will be able to visit http://www.comedcare.com/ to watch how-to videos of the energy-efficiency improvements in progress, including do-it-yourself tips.

"I am very happy to have the opportunity to make changes to my home that will save me money on my bills," said Zavala. "I hope all homeowners can look at my house as an example of how they also can lower their bills and save energy by making good choices."

According to ENERGY STAR(R), part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the typical U.S. family spends more than $1,600 a year on home utility bills. Customers' monthly bills are based on the amount of energy they use, and lowering consumption can reduce those bills. By taking a few simple energy-saving steps, such as using compact fluorescent light bulbs and keeping your central air conditioners at the highest comfortable temperature, customers can cut their energy bills significantly.

"The CARE program will be a very useful tool for residents that are looking to save money," said Joliet Mayor Art Schultz. "The City Council and I appreciate the help ComEd is giving to Joliet residents to help educate them on ways to lower their monthly bills."

Information on energy efficiency, low-income programs and electricity rates is available at http://www.comedcare.com/ , where customers will be able to submit energy-saving questions to an Energy Doctor, buy energy-saving products at a discount, or get a customized online energy audit. Customers also can contact ComEd customer service representatives at the toll-free CARE hotline, (888) 806-CARE (2273).

Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation , one of the nation's largest electric utilities with approximately 5.2 million customers and more than $15 billion in annual revenues. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.7 million customers across Northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population.