Moving to Illinois? Essential Energy Information for New Residents

Your First 48 Hours: A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Electricity & Gas in Illinois

Moving involves countless tasks, but getting utilities set up should be near the top of your list. Here's exactly what you need to do to ensure the lights are on and heat is flowing when you arrive.

Step 1: Identify Your Electric and Gas Utilities

Illinois has two major electric utilities and several gas utilities. Your service provider is determined by your address, not your choice:

Electric utilities:

• ComEd (Commonwealth Edison): Serves northern Illinois including Chicago and suburbs, roughly north of I-80
• Ameren Illinois: Serves central and southern Illinois, from approximately I-80 south
• Municipal utilities: Some cities operate their own electric utilities (e.g., Springfield's CWLP)

Natural gas utilities:

• Nicor Gas: Serves most of northern Illinois
• Peoples Gas: Serves the City of Chicago
• North Shore Gas: Serves some north suburbs
• Ameren Illinois Gas: Serves central and southern Illinois

To find your specific utilities, enter your new address on the utility websites or call them directly. Your landlord, real estate agent, or seller should also be able to tell you which utilities serve the property.

Step 2: Contact Your Utilities

For electricity:

ComEd:

• Online: comed.com
• Phone: 1-800-334-7661
• Start service online or by phone
• Typically same-day or next-day connection (no physical visit needed with smart meters)

Ameren Illinois:

• Online: ameren.com/illinois
• Phone: 1-800-755-5000
• Similar setup process to ComEd

For natural gas:

Contact your gas utility (Nicor, Peoples Gas, or Ameren) using the same approach—online or phone. Gas service may require a technician visit to light pilot lights, especially for older equipment.

Step 3: What You'll Need

Have these items ready when setting up service:

• Service address: Full address including apartment number if applicable
• Start date: When you want service to begin (typically your move-in date)
• Social Security Number: Required for credit check and account setup
• Government-issued ID: Driver's license or state ID number
• Phone number and email: For account notifications
• Previous utility account info: May help establish credit

Step 4: Deposits and Credit

Depending on your credit history, you may be required to pay a deposit:

• Good credit: Usually no deposit required
• Limited or poor credit: Deposit may be 1-2× expected monthly bill
• Deposit alternatives: Some utilities accept letters of credit from previous utilities
• Deposit return: Typically refunded after 12 months of on-time payments

Step 5: Confirm Service and Set Up Account Access

After requesting service:

1. Confirm your start date and account number
2. Create online accounts for both electric and gas utilities
3. Set up paperless billing if desired
4. Enable autopay to avoid missed payments
5. Set up usage alerts to monitor consumption

Timeline Summary

Ideally 2+ weeks before moving:

• Identify which utilities serve your new address
• Contact utilities to schedule service start dates
• Set up any required deposits or credit verification

1 week before:

• Confirm service start dates are set
• Set up online accounts

Moving day:

• Verify power and gas are on
• Test HVAC, water heater, and major appliances
• Report any issues immediately

The Illinois Energy Choice Secret: How Deregulation Lets You Shop for Cheaper Power

Here's something new Illinois residents often don't know: you have choices about where you buy your electricity and natural gas. Illinois' deregulated energy market separates the delivery of energy (monopoly utility) from the supply (competitive market).

Understanding Deregulation

In many states, your utility provides everything—generation, transmission, and delivery. You pay whatever rate they charge. Illinois does it differently:

What deregulation means:

• Delivery: Your utility (ComEd, Ameren, etc.) maintains the wires and pipes. This is a regulated monopoly—you can't choose.
• Supply: The actual electricity or gas you consume can come from many competitive suppliers. You CAN choose.

Why this matters: Competition among suppliers can lower prices. You might save 10-20% on the supply portion of your bill by shopping for a better rate.

Alternative Retail Electric Suppliers (ARES)

These are the companies you can buy electricity supply from instead of your utility's default rate:

• Dozens of licensed suppliers operate in Illinois
• Each offers different rates, contract terms, and products
• You keep the same utility service—only the supply source changes
• Your utility still delivers the power; you still get one bill (in most cases)

How to shop:

1. Check current rates at Illinois electricity comparison tools
2. Compare supplier rates to your utility's default rate
3. Review contract terms (length, fees, renewal provisions)
4. Select a supplier and sign up (online or phone)
5. Your utility handles the switch—no service interruption

Alternative Gas Suppliers

The same concept applies to natural gas. You can buy gas supply from alternative suppliers while your utility continues delivery:

• Nicor, Peoples Gas, and Ameren all allow supplier choice
• Compare supplier rates to utility rates
• Process similar to electricity switching

Default Utility Rates

If you don't choose an alternative supplier, you'll receive "default" supply from your utility:

How default rates work:

• ComEd and Ameren procure supply through competitive auctions
• Rates change periodically based on auction results
• Not necessarily the highest rate, but not always the lowest either
• No contract commitment—you can switch anytime

Should you switch? It depends. Compare current supplier offers to the default rate. Factors to consider:

• Is the supplier rate significantly lower?
• What is the contract length?
• Are there early termination fees?
• What happens at contract end (auto-renewal terms)?

Your First Decision: Shop Now or Wait?

New residents face a choice: immediately shop for suppliers or stick with default rates while settling in.

Reasons to wait:

• Simpler during hectic move process
• Get familiar with your actual usage first
• Default rates are reasonable (not predatory)

Reasons to shop immediately:

• Potential immediate savings
• Lock in rates before potential increases
• Some suppliers offer move-in specials

Our recommendation: Focus on getting service established first, then shop for suppliers within your first 1-2 months once you understand your usage patterns.

Beat the Bill Shock: 5 Insider Tips for Lowering Your Illinois Energy Costs Year-Round

Illinois has four distinct seasons, each bringing different energy challenges. These tips help newcomers avoid the bill surprises that catch many first-year residents off guard.

Tip 1: Prepare for Seasonal Extremes

Illinois weather is more extreme than many regions:

Summer (June-August):

• Hot and humid—air conditioning is essential, not optional
• Electricity bills spike 50-100% above spring/fall
• Set AC to 76-78°F when home; use fans to feel cooler
• Close blinds on south and west windows during afternoon

Winter (December-February):

• Temperatures regularly below freezing, occasional sub-zero
• Gas heating bills can exceed summer electric bills
• Set thermostat to 68°F when home, lower when away
• Use programmable or smart thermostats to match your schedule

Tip 2: Budget Higher Than You Expect

New residents consistently underestimate Illinois energy costs:

Average monthly costs (typical home):

• Spring/Fall: $100-150/month total (electric + gas)
• Summer: $150-250/month (high electric for AC)
• Winter: $200-350/month (high gas for heating)
• Annual total: $1,800-3,000 depending on home size and efficiency

Budget tip: Use your utility's budget billing option to spread costs evenly across the year. You'll pay the same amount monthly based on estimated annual usage.

Tip 3: Check Your Home's Efficiency

Older Illinois homes often have efficiency issues:

Quick checks when moving in:

• Feel for drafts around windows and doors
• Check attic insulation depth (R-49+ recommended)
• Inspect weatherstripping on exterior doors
• Note age of HVAC equipment (15+ years = less efficient)
• Check water heater setting (120°F is sufficient)

Free resources: Both ComEd and Ameren offer free home energy assessments that identify efficiency opportunities and sometimes include free installation of basic measures like LED bulbs.

Tip 4: Take Advantage of Utility Programs

Illinois utilities offer numerous programs new residents should know about:

Rebate programs:

• Smart thermostats: $50-100 rebate
• HVAC equipment: $100-500+ depending on type
• Appliances: Various rebates for ENERGY STAR products
• LED lighting: Instant discounts at participating retailers

Rate options:

• Hourly pricing programs (potential 15%+ savings)
• Time-of-use rates (save by shifting usage to off-peak)
• Budget billing (level monthly payments)

Assistance programs: If income-qualified, LIHEAP and other programs can help with bills.

Tip 5: Shop for Suppliers After Understanding Your Usage

Once you've lived in your new place for 1-2 months:

1. Review your bills to understand baseline usage
2. Check online accounts for detailed usage data
3. Compare your utility's default rate to supplier offers
4. Consider fixed vs. variable rate plans
5. Lock in a competitive rate if savings are significant

Don't rush into long-term contracts without understanding your usage pattern. What seems like a good rate might not be if your usage is higher or lower than expected.

ComEd vs. Ameren: Who's Your Utility and How to Choose an Alternative Supplier

Understanding your utility helps you navigate Illinois' energy market more effectively.

ComEd (Northern Illinois)

If you're moving to the Chicago area or northern Illinois, ComEd is your electric utility:

Service territory:

• Chicago and all suburbs
• Northern Illinois roughly north of I-80
• Approximately 4 million customers

Key features:

• Modern smart meter infrastructure statewide
• Robust online account management
• Hourly pricing program available
• Extensive rebate programs through ComEd Energy Efficiency

Setting up service:

• Website: comed.com
• Phone: 1-800-334-7661
• Most new service requests processed same day

Ameren Illinois (Central/Southern Illinois)

If you're moving to Springfield, Champaign, Peoria, or central/southern Illinois:

Service territory:

• Central and southern Illinois
• Major cities: Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Decatur
• Also provides natural gas service in most of this territory

Key features:

• Combined electric and gas service simplifies billing
• Power Smart Pricing (hourly pricing) available
• ActOnEnergy rebate programs
• Online account management

Setting up service:

• Website: ameren.com/illinois
• Phone: 1-800-755-5000
• Can set up both electric and gas simultaneously

Choosing an Alternative Supplier

Regardless of which utility serves you, the supplier selection process is similar:

Step 1: Know your baseline

• Find your utility's current default supply rate
• Note your monthly usage in kWh (electricity) or therms (gas)
• Calculate your current supply cost

Step 2: Compare suppliers

• Use comparison tools at IllinoisEnergyPrices.com/pricing
• Get quotes from multiple suppliers
• Compare all-in rates including any fees

Step 3: Evaluate contracts carefully

• Contract length (month-to-month vs. fixed term)
• Early termination fees
• Rate type (fixed vs. variable)
• Renewal terms (auto-renewal provisions)

Step 4: Switch (it's easy)

• Sign up with your chosen supplier
• They notify your utility
• Switch happens within 1-2 billing cycles
• No service interruption
• You keep the same utility service for delivery

Red Flags When Shopping

Protect yourself from supplier scams:

• Avoid: Door-to-door salespeople pressuring immediate decisions
• Verify: Any supplier is licensed with the Illinois Commerce Commission
• Read: All contract terms before signing anything
• Never: Give your utility account number to unsolicited callers
• Confirm: Renewal terms to avoid automatic rate increases

Welcome to Illinois! With a little knowledge of how the energy market works, you can set up service smoothly and find opportunities to save on your energy bills throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Welcome to Illinois

Moving to a new state comes with many adjustments, and understanding local energy options shouldn't add to your stress. Illinois' deregulated energy market might seem complicated at first, but it actually offers you more control over your energy costs than you'd have in many other states.

Focus first on the basics: getting electricity and gas service established before you move in. Contact ComEd or Ameren (for electricity) and your local gas utility with your new address, move-in date, and identification ready. Most connections happen quickly with today's smart meter technology.

Once you're settled, take time to explore your options. Illinois lets you shop for electricity and gas suppliers, which can mean meaningful savings. But don't rush—understand your actual usage patterns first, then compare supplier offers to your utility's default rate.

Be prepared for Illinois' weather extremes. Summer AC and winter heating will be your biggest energy costs. Budget accordingly, consider utility programs like budget billing to smooth out seasonal spikes, and invest in efficiency measures that will pay dividends year after year.

Welcome to the Land of Lincoln. With the information in this guide, you're well-equipped to navigate Illinois' energy landscape and keep more money in your pocket.