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Solar vs. grid power: how much can you save?
Electricity rates are on the rise. The U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that electricity prices in the U.S. rose 6.2% in 2023 alone.
Homeowners across the country are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs and many are turning to solar energy. But just how much can you save with solar and is it worth the investment?
Solar customers can often save tens of thousands of dollars over the lifespan of their solar system. To determine exactly how much you can save, you’ll have to do a little math.
Compare your current cost per kW from Commonwealth Edison Co with the cost per kW of your solar system. Then calculate your monthly or yearly expenses across a 25-year period. Finally, subtract your total cost of energy with solar from your total of energy from the grid to determine your savings
A simpler way to estimate your savings potential is to compare your current monthly energy costs with your projected solar payments. If your energy costs are higher than your solar payments, there is a good chance you will see savings.
At Solar Cost Calculator, we suggest that anybody paying more than $100 a month for electricity should consider solar.
What solar incentives Commonwealth Edison Co does offer?
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.comed.com/WaysToSave/ForYourBusiness/Pages/FactSheets/CINewConstructionOverview.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Nonprofit, Federal Government, Multifamily Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount : Best Practices Pathway Multi-Family and Assisted Living: $0.08/gross square feet w/ additional incentives available for optional advanced measures. Office: $0.09/gross square feet w/ additional incentives available for optional advanced measures. Parking Garage: $0.04/gross square feet w/ additional incentives available for optional advanced measures. Retail and Grocery: $0.09/gross square feet w/ additional incentives available for optional advanced measures. Warehouse and Industrial: $0.09/gross square feet w/ additional incentives available for optional advanced measures. Design firms can earn $5,000 plus 5% of the owner’s incentive for the accurate submission of design workbooks for each building type. Performance Pathway All building types: $0.07/kWh (Electric) or $0.35/Therm (Gas) High Performance Design Incentive available for projects that achieve high-performance certifications/criteria. Achieve Certification – $5,000 Electric Building: Projects meeting the program's Electric Building requirements are eligible for an additional $10,000 incentive. Energy modeling and documentation – $5,000 plus 5% of the owner’s incentive.
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://www.ilenergyloan.com/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Residential, Federal Government, Multifamily Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://www.comed.com/WaysToSave/ForYourBusiness/Pages/SmallBusiness.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial
Incentive Amount : A FREE facility assessment: An authorized Energy Efficiency Service Provider will visit your facility and identify energy-saving opportunities that qualify for energy efficiency incentives. A custom project plan: Your Service Provider will give you a customized report with recommended energy efficiency measures for your facility and work with you to develop a project plan that fits your budget and timing. Full installation and incentive services: Once your Service Provider completes your project, you only pay the balance after incentives are applied (projects usually take no more than 60 days from pre-approval to installation).
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.comed.com/WaysToSave/ForYourBusiness/Pages/FactSheets/StandardIncentives.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Nonprofit, Federal Government, Multifamily Residential
Incentive Amount : Lighting Fixtures / Retrofits: $0.80 per watt reduced Sensors: $0.20 - $0.25 per watt controlled LED Signs: $12 - $40 Daylighting controls (indoor only): $0.15 per watt controlled Occupancy sensor plus daylighting controls (indoor only): $0.30 per watt controlled Time clocks for lighting: $0.03 per watt controlled Photocells (outdoor only): $0.08 per watt controlled Photocell plus time clock (outdoor only): $0.09 per watt controlled Municipal owned streetlights: $1.00 per watt reduced LED Traffic Signal 8" Lamp: $40 per lamp LED Traffic Signal 12" Lamp: $100 per lamp HVAC Water-Cooled Chiller: $5.00 for IPLV improvement/ton Air-Cooled Chiller: $6.00 for IPLV improvement/ton Chiller w/ VSD: $150/ton Oil-free bearing chiller: $250 per ton Chilled Water Reset Controls: $5/ton SEHA Tier 1 Room A/C: $30/ton PTAC/PTHP: $30/ton Packaged Rooftop Unit Advanced Controls Retrofit: $100/ton Guest Room Energy Management System: $50/guest room Demand Controlled Ventilation (Conditioned Space): $40/1,000 sq. ft. Restroom exhaust fan occupancy sensor: $10 per fan Wireless pneumatic thermostat: $100 per thermostat Air-side economizer: $50 per ton Electronically commutated motor on fan-powered box: $50 per motor High efficiency pumps and pumping efficiency improvements (retrofits): $15 per HP Rooftop unit: $20 per ton per EER above efficiency requirement Ground Source Heat Pump: $30 per ton per EER above minimum efficiency Energy Recovery Ventilator: $0.10 - $0.20 per SCFM VSD: $60 per ton or $150 per HP Energy Management System (not eligible for online application) Non-programmable pneumatic thermostats: $0.50 - $0.70 per sq. ft. of conditioned space Non-programmable electronic thermostats: $0.50 - $0.70 per sq. ft. of conditioned space Programmable thermostats: $0.30 - $0.50 per sq. ft. of conditioned space Existing digital EMS older than 15 years: $0.50 - $0.70 per sq. ft. of conditioned space Refrigeration EC Motor for Walk-In Cooler/Freezer: $60/motor EC Motor for Reach-In Refrigerated Case: $30/motor EC Motor with Evaporator Fan Controls for Walk-In Cooler/Freezer: $90/motor Anti-sweat heater controls for glass door cooler or freezer: $62.50 per door Display cases with doors: $260 per linear ft. Special door with low/no-anti sweat heaters: $190 per door Evaporator fan controls: $50 per controlled motor Demand defrost controls: $20 per evaporator fan motor Efficient refrigeration condenser: $10 per ton Floating head pressure controls: $60 per compressor HP LED refrigerated display case lighting: $60 per door Night covers: $10 per linear ft. Strip curtains: $4 per sq. ft. Automatic high speed doors: $50 per sq. ft. Automatic door closer: $120 per unit VSD for condenser fans: $150 per HP Lab Performance Low pressure drop HEPA filters: $75 per 1,000 CFM Low pressure drop high efficiency (non-HEPA) air filters: $20 per 1,000 CFM Reduce/optimize air changes per hour (ACH) in laboratory space: $0.75 per CFM Food Service Equipment ENERGY STAR® Electric Steam Cooker: $1,500/cooker Electric Combination Oven: $1,100/oven ENERGY STAR® Convection Oven: $170/oven ENERGY STAR® Hot Food Holding Cabinet: $320/cabinet ENERGY STAR® Electric Griddle: $130/griddle ENERGY STAR® Electric Vat Fryer: $200/fryer Heat Pump Water Heater: $250/heater Electric Water Heater Timer: $20/timer High Efficiency Pre-Rinse Spray Valve: $28/spray valve Reach-In Cooler Controls: $40/cooler Beverage Machine Controls: $100/machine Snack Machine Controls: $40/machine ENERGY STAR® Refurbished Vending Machine: $50/machine Efficient Air-Cooled Ice Makers: $100 - $200/ice maker ENERGY STAR® Commercial Clothes Washers: $20 - $50/washer Industrial Systems Barrel Wraps for Injection Molders and Extruders: $40/sq. ft. AC Drive Conversion: $40/HP Fiber Laser Cutting Machines: $3,000/output kW Electric Injection Molding Machine: $75/ton Hybrid Injection Molding Machine: $75/ton Network Combing Line and Trunk Equipment Removal: $375/piece Indoor Grow Lights: $1.00/watt reduced Agriculture Fan Thermostat Controller: $100/HP DX Tune‐up Air Conditioning Tuneup: $15-$25/ton Notched V‐belt: $10/HP Packaged RTU Advanced Controls: $100/ton Packaged RTU Sealing: $10/ton Thermostats: $150/thermostat Compressed Air High-efficiency air nozzles: $20 per nozzle Low pressure drop filter: $3.50 per connected HP No-loss condensate drains: $100 per drain Refrigerated dryers: $1 - $3 per rated CFM Heat of compression desiccant compressed air dryer: $4 per CFM Heated blower purge desiccant compressed air dryer: $4 per CFM Variable displacement screw air compressor: $30 per HP Compressed air pressure flow controller: $10 per HP VSD on air compressor ≤ 200 HP: $75 per HP Air compressor(s) with integrated VSD ≤ 200 HP: $200 per HP Added compressor storage on load/no load systems: $1.50 per gallon Commercial Appliances Commercial clothes washers: $20 - $50 per washer Refurbished vending machine: $50 per machine Beverage machine controls: $100 per machine Electric water heater timer: $20 per timer Heat pump water heater (electric only): $250 per heater Reach-in (novelty) cooler controls: $40 per cooler Miscellaneous Energy Assessment Price Quote and Instant Incentives Installation Services Instant Discounts New Construction incentives ComEd offers many other custom incentives for businesses. Explore the Fact Sheets Page for more info.
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.comed.com/WaystoSave/ForYourHome/Pages/RebatesDiscounts.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential
Incentive Amount : Appliances Air Purifier: $50 Clothes Washer: $40 Dehumidifier: $45 Electric Clothes Dryer: $40 Heat Pump Clothes Dryer: $200 Induction Cooktops: $100 Refrigerator: $50 Water Dispenser: $25 Heating & Cooling * Discounts provided by eligible distributors Air Source Heat Pump: $100 discount Central A/C: $125 - $225 discount Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: Up to $1,350 discount Air Source Heat Pump Tune Up: $100 discount Central Air Conditioning Tune Up: $35 discount Smart Thermostat: $100 discount Geothermal Heat Pump: Up to $9,000 discount per home Geothermal (ground source) Heat Pump Indoor Unit Replacement: $1,275 - $1,800 discount Duct Sealing: $250 discount * Note: For residential geothermal heat pump installations, contact a contractor enrolled in the ComEd EESP network. Lighting Discounts Available lighting incentives Home Products Discounts Select Advanced Power Strips: Up to $12 Select Weatherization Products: Up to $2 Select Low Flow Shower Heads: $8 Water Dispenser (hot/cold combination): $25 Room Air Conditioner: $50
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.comed.com/WaysToSave/ForYourBusiness/Pages/LightingDiscounts.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Federal Government
Incentive Amount : SCREW-IN / PIN-BASE / OTHER PRODUCTS Decorative lamps >310 lumens: $6 / Lamp Screw-in HID LED - mogul base ≤ 100 watts: $25 / Lamp Screw-in HID LED - mogul base < 100 watts: $55 / Lamp Screw-in HID LED - medium base: $25 / Lamp 4 Pin-base LED: $10 / Lamp 4 Pin-base LED (G24q/GX24q < 18W): $10 / Lamp 2 Pin-base LED: $10 / Lamp DLC Listed Fixtures DLC listed fixtures 0 - 80 watts: $20 / Fixture DLC listed fixtures <80 - 200 watts: $50 / Fixture DLC listed fixtures <200 - 300 watts: $100 / Fixture DLC listed fixtures <300 - 500 watts: $300 / Fixture LINEAR PRODUCTS T8 TLED - 2ft, 4ft, u-bend: $4 / Lamp T5 TLED - 2ft, 4ft, u-bend: $4 / Lamp T5-HO TLED: $4/Lamp TLED all others: $4/Lamp TLED signage: $5/Lamp EXIT SIGNS Retrofit hard-wired LED exit sign kits < 5W: $20/Kit Retrofit screw-based LED exit sign lamps < 5W: $5/Lamp LED, T-1 or Electroluminescent < 5W: $5/Sign
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://smartenergy.illinois.edu/rcx/
Applicable Sectors : Local Government, State Government, Federal Government
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Installing and connecting your solar system
When you install a solar system in Commonwealth Edison Co territory, these are steps you can expect to go through:
Once you’ve hired a contractor, you will need to communicate with Commonwealth Edison Co to prepare the interconnection paper. Your contractor will handle most of these responsibilities
After the interconnection agreement has been finalized, your contractor can begin the installation process.
Once your system is installed, it needs to be inspected for safety and code compliance.
After the final inspection, you will receive a written notice within a few days that your system is approved to operate. You can turn on the system yourself or you can contact your installer for further assistance.
Most homeowners prefer to do it themselves. The whole process should only take 10 - 15 minutes.
Is solar worth it for Commonwealth Edison Co customers?
The short and sweet answer is a resounding YES. Going solar is definitely worth it for Commonwealth Edison Co customers. The average homeowner in _UtilityCompanyName_ can save an estimated #### over the lifespan of their solar system.
Going solar is a long game so you need to think several years ahead. It can take a few years to hit your break even period. But between net metering and solar incentives, you can drastically reduce that timeframe.
Want to get an idea for what it will cost you to go solar with Commonwealth Edison Co? You can use our Solar Cost Calculator to generate a customized estimate instantly. We take into consideration a wide range of criteria including location, electric bill, roof size, and other factors. Try it out today and start planning for your future.
