2026 Winter Guide
The Perfect Recipe for Winter Energy Savings: Sugar, Spice and the Hourly Pricing Winter Guide!
We’ve got the recipe to help you manage your energy use while you keep your home warm and cozy this season.
Typically, cold-weather prices are lower and more stable than summer prices, but prices may rise during extended periods of cold weather or unexpected cold snaps. If you follow our recipe to stay prepared and informed, you can have your cake and eat it too!
Shift and Save
It can be as easy as pie to manage your energy bill!
Shift your energy use away from higher-priced hours, typically 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.*, in the fall, winter and spring. Use your oven and dishwasher during the afternoon and evening, when prices are typically lower, to increase your savings potential.
Based on average prices from January 2022 through December 2025.
*Depending on market conditions, prices can vary from this typical pattern. Savings cannot be assured.
Watch this short video to learn more about hourly prices and tips for managing your energy use to optimize your savings.
Staying Cozy While You Save? You “Batter” Believe It!
Bundle Up Your Home
Prepare your home for winter so you can stay warm while you enjoy your favorite baked goods. Insulate your windows and doors with foam weatherstripping tape. Add area rugs to rooms you typically use, and close doors and vents in unused rooms. Don’t forget to replace your furnace filter monthly. If you’re feeling festive, add LED holiday lights and smart outlets to the shopping list!
Have a bigger project in mind? ComEd offers rebates for heating, cooling and weatherization. Are you planning for next year’s upgrades, such as solar panels or an electric vehicle? ComEd also offers an Electric Vehicle Charger and Installation Rebate and a Distributed Generation Rebate.
Recipe Calls For: Sunshine
Sunlight is free and can help warm your home. During the day, open curtains and blinds to let the sun’s rays warm your home. When the sun goes down, close curtains to keep warm air in and cold air out. At night, try using zone heating and snuggling up with some fresh-baked cookies and a warm cup of cocoa or tea!
Do you have on-site solar panels and participate in Net Metering through ComEd? Remember that on bright sunny days this winter, your panels can still generate meaningful energy, helping you manage your energy use with Net Metering and Hourly Pricing.
Set It and Forget It
Use a smart or programmable thermostat to automatically lower the temperature at night and when you’re not home. You can also automate your savings by connecting your smart home technology or electric vehicle with free Hourly Pricing IFTTT applets.
Double the Recipe and Save Even More with Energy-Efficient Appliances
Are you already seeing savings by shifting your energy use to off-peak hours? You can save even more by using energy-efficient appliances!
Check whether your appliances are ENERGY STAR® approved. You can also find the CLEARCOST (purchase price + estimated lifetime energy costs) of your next appliance at ComEd Efficient Choice.
Stay Prepared with Hourly Pricing Alerts
Just like your timer notifies you when you bake cookies that you need to take action, Hourly Pricing Alerts can notify you when it’s time to reduce your energy use. Sign up for alerts in your My Hourly Pricing Account and get notified when electricity prices are trending higher or if next-day demand is expected to be high. You can choose to receive alerts via email, text message or phone call.
Watch our short video to learn how Hourly Pricing Alerts can help you save during the baking season.
Plus, you can find real-time and day-ahead prices anytime on the Live Prices webpage, the ComEd mobile app and by calling 888-202-7787.
Hourly Pricing’s Impact
Since 2007, Hourly Pricing participants have collectively saved over $60 million* and 172 million kWh.**
Participants have helped prevent 143,997 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere.**
That equals the amount of emissions released by driving around the Earth 14,742 times!**
*2026 participant savings analysis by ComEd’s Hourly Pricing Administrator
**Commonwealth Edison Company’s Hourly Pricing 2025 Annual Report
We’re Here to Help in Case Your Recipe Doesn’t Turn Out!
To discuss the best electricity rate option for your household or ways to manage your savings, please contact us at info@ComEdHourlyPricing.com or 888-202-7787.
Get personalized recommendations to help you control energy costs and manage your energy bills, including payment assistance programs, energy saving tips and more. Find the best solutions for you at ComEd.com/BillSupport
From ComEd’s Hourly Pricing Team, We Hope You Enjoy These “Crumb-Believable” Winter Energy Savings Tips!
