by Electric bills have already gone through the roof because of the extreme heat in the Chicago area this summer, and it’s only halfway through the season.
In Chicago in the summer, it’s usual for storms or strong winds to knock down power lines. But there haven’t been any lately. Still, the heat is making the power lines work extra hard, and some people are worried that blackouts could happen because so many homes and businesses have their air conditioners on.
But ComEd said that the power lines in Chicago are ready for the heat.
“The grid is very reliable,” said John Schoen, who is in charge of information at ComEd. “We are at 99.98 reliability in our area.”
Schoen told people they shouldn’t be afraid to use their air conditioners this week. That’s not likely to happen, he said.
Schoen was also asked about rolling blackouts, which are times when power companies briefly cut power to some places to keep the grid safe. Also, he told her not to worry about that.
“No — our transmission system and our distribution system are really resilient,” Schoen told us. “We haven’t had to take steps like that in decades.”
Meanwhile, Jim Chilsen, who is in charge of marketing for the Citizens Utility Board, said that ComEd’s supply costs have gone up, which customers can see on their bills.
“We are getting lots of calls from customers who are frustrated and concerned about their bills,” said Chilsen.
Chilsen said that this doesn’t mean that buyers should do anything crazy in the next few days.
“People are going to be so concerned about their bills that they’re going to take risks and keep their homes too hot to lower their electricity bills,” said Chilsen, “and we are just asking everyone to look after your neighbors, look after your loved ones.”
If people can, Chilsen said they should seal their windows and doors, use fans, and keep their shades down. He also told them that to save money on their bills, they should think about joining programs that help them save energy.
ComEd has a scheme called Peak Time Savings that gives customers money back if they raise their thermostats on certain days.
“If you feel like, you know, ‘I’m going to be out for a couple of hours, I’ll turn down my air and get some credit on my bill,'” Schoen said.
ComEd also said that buying a smart thermostat is a great way to save a lot of money. People can also call ComEd to get help with money or certain payment plans.
