Smart Home Exhibit at Museum of Science and Industry Showcases ComEd
Environmental Programs
Exhibit features consumer programs to conserve energy, save money, help the
environment
CHICAGO, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing environmental
commitment, ComEd is sponsoring the new Museum of Science and Industry's Smart
Home: Green + Wired, Powered by ComEd and Warmed by Peoples Gas exhibit, which
showcases the utility's electricity-saving programs for customers and other
ways to practice green living. The exhibit is open today through Jan. 4, 2009.
The Smart Home demonstrates the latest offerings in sustainable living and
environmentally-friendly technologies and offers Museum patrons simple,
practical ways they can incorporate green living into their lifestyle. Guests
will go on tours of the 2,500-square-foot, modular and contemporary home,
located on the east side of the Museum.
"At ComEd, we are proud to serve as a key sponsor of this innovative
exhibit and to partner with the Museum of Science and Industry, one of
Chicago's world-class institutions," said Anne Pramaggiore, executive vice
president of Customer Operations, Regulatory and External Affairs, ComEd. "By
demonstrating some of our 'green' programs at the Smart Home, we can educate
our customers about new ways to conserve energy, save money and help the
environment."
ComEd environmental programs featured in the Smart Home
-- ComEd's Residential Real-Time Pricing allows customers to manage their
electricity consumption in response to market conditions. Using a
special meter in their homes, customers have the option to buy power on
an hourly basis and to reduce usage when prices are high. The Smart
Home features two advanced "smart meters" with an LCD display in the
kitchen area. One meter captures the current consumption of power for
the entire home, and another displays the power generated by its solar
panels. These meters monitor the Smart Home's energy use and production
minute-by-minute in real time.
-- ComEd offers seasonal discounts on compact fluorescent light bulbs
(CFLs), which use up to 75 percent less electricity than equivalent
incandescent bulbs, and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing one
60-watt incandescent bulb with a comparable CFL bulb can yield savings
of up to $30 over the life of the bulb. CFL bulbs are placed in key
locations throughout the Smart Home, saving energy and money.
-- The ComEd Net Metering program is available to customers who own or
operate a small renewable energy system that generates electricity for
the customer's own use, such as solar or wind energy. Customers in the
program receive credits to offset future energy consumption when the
renewable source exceeds their total consumption in a given month. The
Smart Home is an example of how consumers can use solar panels to
generate electricity that is used in the home.
People who live in the ComEd service territory can enter the ComEd Home
Run Sweepstakes for a chance to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field
when the Chicago Cubs play the Philadelphia Phillies on August 28, 2008, along
with four field box tickets to the game. Other prizes include $2,500 worth of
Energy Star(R) appliances and two bicycles. Fore more information, visit:
http://www.msichicago.org/HomeRun now through July 31, 2008.
Additionally, a "buy-one-get-one free" general admission/Smart Home ticket
offer is also available to ComEd customers. Customers may redeem this voucher
on-site at the museum; however, a same day ticket without a reservation is
subject to availability. To make an advance reservation, call (773) 684-1414
and provide the reservation representative with the following MOP Code:
2008165. A service fee of $3.75 per ticket will be charged for advance ticket
reservations by phone. This voucher cannot be redeemed through the Museum's
online ticketing system. Not valid with any other offer. No cash value and
non-transferable. Not valid for parking, Omnimax or other exhibits. The offer
is valid for up to two guests per voucher.
The voucher is valid from September 14, 2008 through October 26, 2008.
Customers must bring this voucher to the Museum in order to redeem their
tickets. Note: A general admission ticket is required to see Smart Home:
Green + Wired.
The Smart Home exhibit requires a ticket with a specified entry time. This
ticket, which includes general Museum admission, is $23 for adults, $22 for
seniors and $14 for children 3-11. Tickets are on sale at
http://www.msichicago.org.
Smart Home: Green + Wired, powered by ComEd and warmed by Peoples Gas, is
also sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; Dominick's; and the Motorola
Foundation as part of the Museum's 75th Anniversary.
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon
Corporation (NYSE: EXC), one of the nation's largest electric utilities with
approximately 5.4 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately
3.8 million customers across Northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's
population.
About the Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry's mission is to inspire the inventive
genius in everyone by presenting captivating and compelling experiences that
are real and educational. The Museum first opened its doors on June 19, 1933.
In 2008 -- more than 175 million guests later -- the Museum commemorates its
75th Anniversary with a year-long celebration. Located at 57th Street and Lake
Shore Drive, the Museum is open every day of the year except December 25.
Regular Museum hours are 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and
11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Extended summer hours, until 5:30 p.m. each
day, will be offered from May 24 to Sept. 1. The Museum offers indoor parking
and is accessible by CTA and Metra. The Museum is supported in part through
the generosity of the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For
more information, visit the Museum's Web site at http://www.msichicago.org or
call (773) 684-1414 or (800) GO-TO-MSI outside of the Chicago.
SOURCE ComEd
Pam Anton of ComEd Media Relations, +1-312-394-3500
