Real-Time Pricing Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is ComEd Residential Real-Time Pricing?
2. How much can I save?
3. How will I know when prices will be high?
4. Is it true I'll need a new meter to be in the program?
5. How can I take advantage of the difference between real-time pricing and regular pricing?
6. How long do I have to remain on the program?
7. Are there any environmental benefits from being in the Real-Time Pricing program?
8. How can I tell if real-time pricing is good for me?
9. How do I sign up?

What is ComEd Residential Real-Time Pricing?
It's a program that uses ComEd's Rate BESH to determine your monthly electricity bills. BESH stands for Basic Electric Service–Hourly Energy Pricing. With it, the price you pay varies from hour to hour based on wholesale market prices.
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How much can I save?
The majority of RRTP participants who participated in ComEd RRTP for all 12 months in 2009 experienced savings ranging from 11% to 21% on their annual electricity bill, as compared with what they would have paid with ComEd's fixed-price rate. Individual bills will vary month to month, based on weather, market conditions and your usage habits. Generally, the more you avoid using electricity when prices are high, the more you potentially could save with real-time pricing. Even though some participants did not save, participants who have been on the ComEd RRTP program since it first began in 2007 saved about 12% on average through the end of 2009. Similar savings are possible–but not guaranteed–for future participation in ComEd RRTP.
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How will I know when prices will be high?
You will be automatically notified after 5 p.m. CT when predicted day-ahead hourly prices are expected to reach or exceed 14 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for any number of hours during the following day. You can choose to receive these notifications by e-mail, text (SMS) message, or automated phone call. Additionally, you will receive an alert on any day the real-time price that day reaches or exceeds 14 cents per kWh. You can select e-mail or text (SMS) message for these alerts, and you have the option of changing your real-time day-of alert price threshold to 10 cents per kWh. Predicted day-ahead prices (after 5 p.m. CT) and real-time day-of prices are always available at www.theWattSpot.com or by calling 1-877-WATTSPOT.
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Is it true I'll need a new meter to be in the program?
Enrollment in this innovative program requires the installation of an electric meter capable of measuring and recording electric usage in hourly intervals. There is a monthly meter lease fee for this hourly recording meter, which is in addition to your current monthly standard meter charge. However, the first 110,000 customers who sign up for the RRTP program will pay a reduced monthly meter lease fee of $2.25 for the hourly recording meter and will not pay a fee for exchanging the meter. This reduced monthly meter lease fee and the exemption of the meter exchange fee only apply to the first meter. If a customer has more than one meter participating in the program, this customer is subject to a regular monthly meter lease fee and a meter exchange fee for each additional hourly recording meter.
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How can I take advantage of the difference between real-time pricing and regular pricing?
If you shift the use of energy-hungry appliances like air conditioners, laundry machines and dishwashers to those low-priced hours–like evenings, nights and weekends–it potentially could make a difference in your electricity bills.
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How long do I have to remain on the program?
Participants must remain on the ComEd RRTP program for at least 12 consecutive monthly billing periods. Thereafter, you are free to leave the program if you wish.
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Are there any environmental benefits from being in the Real-Time Pricing program?
Yes. By choosing ComEd RRTP, you are helping the environment. High hourly prices are tied to high market demand. By controlling and shifting your use of electricity to lower-priced hours, you’ll help reduce electricity demand, so less electricity has to be generated. And that helps reduce the release of emissions that contribute to global warming.
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How can I tell if real-time pricing is good for me?
Is your energy bill more than $40 a month? Can you shift the use of your large appliances to cheaper times of the day or night? Can you use those appliances more efficiently? Are you able to deal with some volatility in the size of your bills? Do you heat your home with natural gas? Can you provide unrestricted meter access and is your meter easy to reach? Can you remain in the program for at least 12 consecutive monthly billing periods? If you answered no to any of these questions, or if you have a medical condition, then real-time pricing probably isn't right for you.
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How do I sign up?
There are two ways to sign up:

1. Visit the program's Web site at www.theWattSpot.com for more information or to enroll online.
2. Call us at 1-877 WATTSPOT (1-877-928-8776).

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