This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

New tool helps Chicagoans answer big questions about power bills

The City of Chicago and the Citizens Utility Board have  launched a free calculator to help consumers decide whether to remain with the City’s power deal with Integrys Energy Services or switch back to Commonwealth Edison.

 

The free online service is at: www.ChicagoPowerCalculator.com.

Find out what's happening in Beverly-MtGreenwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The City estimates that Chicago residents have saved more than $30 million with Integrys so far.  However, because of changing market conditions, the City has negotiated a new offer for the final year of the deal.

 

Find out what's happening in Beverly-MtGreenwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Under the Integrys deal, customers living in single family homes are being charged 5.299 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), plus a $22.36 monthly fee.  Customers living in apartment or condominiums are paying 5.299 cents per kWh, plus a $9.06 monthly fee.  To compare, ComEd is charging 7.596 cents per kWh through September.

 

Whether or not the Integrys deal is right for you all depends on your usage.

 

“CUB created this calculator because we want Chicagoans to have all the tools they need to make the right electric choices for their households," CUB Executive Director David Kolata said.

 

The tool is easy to use. Chicago consumers can input an estimate of their monthly electricity usage, pick their housing type and the calculator compares what they would pay with ComEd versus Integrys.

 

Consumers who decide they want to switch back to ComEd can do so any time, without paying an exit fee. Just call the Integrys Hotline, at 1-888-802-2885.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?